Joe McHugh TD
Deputy Joe McHugh, T.D., following a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Simon Coveney, has welcomed confirmation from the Minister that the payment of grassland sheep will continue under the new Rural Development Programme.
This existing payment will be in addition to the single farm payment, said the Donegal TD.
“I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that the grassland sheep payment will be protected under the new Rural Development Programme. I also raised the issue of penalties under the single farm payment digitisation system, arguing that natural woodlands, which are meant for cattle and horses, should not be excluded from the area based payment system.
“In addition to this, I also raised the challenges in the bull beef market presently, where factories have begun closing their gates on 24 month old bulls. This is putting considerable pressure on beef farmers who are ready to sell finished animals. The Minister has agreed to raise this issue directly with the factories. I also highlighted that farmers who are selling to the factories are getting as low as €3.30 per kilo which is roughly €700 less than the price for a similar animal this time last year.
“I congratulate the Minister on the recent Cap Pillar II funding negotiations, which have been very positive for the Agriculture sector in Ireland and specifically Co. Donegal. However, I want to emphasise the need to protect small holdings that are under considerable pressure at the moment.
“I have been liaising closely with farmers in addressing the challenges they are facing and while I am encouraged by the recent developments, both through the CAP Pillar II funding but also through the positive response from the Minister, I feel we have to acknowledge that there are still serious challenges the farming industry faces in Donegal and I intend to work closely with farmers in addressing these challenges.”