Following the recent launch of the EU’s Biodiversity strategy the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association have expressed concern that the proposals outlined could further undermine farmer incomes. This concern they feel is especially relevant on our hills and on lowland farming systems where peat soils dominate.

In addressing this National President Colm O’Donnell outlined how on first read many of the proposals outlined look favourable but stated how “it is only when you assess the details in conjunction with other strategies most notably CAP and the Farm to Fork that you see how vulnerable these farmers are.

In the Biodiversity strategy O’Donnell pointed to the EU’s Nature Fitness Check which showed the benefits of Europe’s Natura 2000 network of our SAC and SPA designations to be valued at between €200-300 billion each year. “With Ireland having just over 1% of Europe’s Natura 2000 land base then the €2-3 billion valuation in Ireland would see this land making an annual contribution of almost €3,000/ha. However, for many farmer’s unfortunate enough to have this land, the maximum payment they can get is €79/ha through GLAS” stated O’Donnell.

As farmers struggle with this pathetic payment the Farm Leader stated “how we see public bodies, NGO’s and others aiming to cash in on this land through increased administration and regulation that encroaches further on landowner’s property rights and new schemes that provides significant financial reward to everyone bar the farmer.”

This he added “is no longer acceptable and it is now time for all those who talk the talk on the need to support biodiversity to recognition and properly remunerate the landowners that are delivering on it.”

Through the Biodiversity strategy, in addition to its value we see proposals around the need of an annual budget requirement of €20 billion to deliver on this plan. As most of the Natura 2000 land is privately owned it is the INHFA position that at least 80% of this should be ring-fenced for farmers and landowners.

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers have got written clarification from the Department of Agriculture Food & Marine (DAFM) that the inspection process will not delay the roll out of the advance payment for both the ANC and BPS Schemes.

In welcoming the clarification from the DAFM on this National President Colm O’Donnell stressed the importance of these schemes to farmers and how prompt payment is essential. For most farmers he stated “the third week in September which sees the commencement of these payments through the ANC Scheme is eagerly anticipated.”

Unfortunately, he added over the last number of years many farmers have not received that payment or their BPS payment in mid-October creating all sorts of financial stresses. When queried, it has often transpired that the inspection process is what resulted in these non-payments.”

This he continued “is an issue the INHFA have continually pressed the DAFM on and we are delighted to see the measure that we outlined, of paying farmers their advance and resolving any issue through later payments now being enacted.”

While very happy with this confirmation, the farm leader did caution “that there is a possibility that payments may still be held up especially for the ANC Scheme where difficulties relating to stocking rates can feature.”

In relation to inspections the DAFM also confirmed that in order to meet EU Commission requirements and ensure payments are issued on time they will have to commence inspections for the 2020 BPS. However, they have confirmed that no unannounced inspections will take place and where farmers with Covid 19 related issues have a farm inspection, they will be treated with sensitivity and on a case by case basis.

With regard to payment rates and timeframes O’Donnell outlined that the DAFM confirmed how they plan to make an advance payment on the BPS of 70% and on the ANC and other Pillar 2 Schemes of 85%. The time of these payments will be similar to previous years but they are examining the possibility of earlier payments.

In conclusion O’Donnell welcomed the possibility of earlier payments but stressed “that this cannot be a substitute for the additional support needed for primary producers.”

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have formally written to the leader of the Green Party Éamon Ryan telling him in no uncertain terms that any attempts to cull our environmentally sustainable traditional Suckler Herds will not be tolerated.
The INHFA President Colm O’Donnell outlined in a letter to Mr. Ryan that the recent advice given by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) to Government targeting non profitable Suckler Herds as a means to reduce overall Green House Gas(GHG) emissions coming from agriculture, was I'll advised and I'll informed.

In the letter O' Donnell highlighted that before making a judgement call to target Sucklers because of their perceived lack of profitability, due diligence needed to take place as to the role extensive sustainable Suckler cow farming systems play in enhancing biodiversity and grazing for carbon. The European Commissions Joint Research Council (JRC) recently produced a report indicating that cattle grazed at sustainable levels was a huge benefit in grazing permanent grasslands for carbon.

The INHFA leader instructed the Green Party to reflect and have regard for the Polluter Pays Principal (PPP) of the Treaty for the Functioning of the European Union. This is a precautionary principle to deal with the source of pollutants before wrecklessly targeting a sector already playing an irreplaceable role assisting carbon sequestration on extensively grazed permanent grassland pastures.
The letter concluded by reminding Mr. Ryan that 'its not the cow, its the how.

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers (INHFA) are calling on Minister Creed to remove the 5% production reduction conditionality in the BEAM scheme. The scheme which was introduced last Autumn to assist farmers impacted by the market disturbance associated with Brexit had a low uptake by many suckler farmers with the reduction requirement seen as a major contributor to this low uptake.

In discussing the need to revisit this element of the scheme INHFA President Colm O’Donnell stated “how it could distort the market and destabilise prices as the production reduction coincides with the removal of Covid-19 restrictions on our cattle markets.”

There is he continued “a real concern that farmers will be forced to choose between selling cattle into an already depressed market in order to hold their payment or hold onto stock and forfeit the payment.” This decision he added “will be decided by simple economics but as things now appear I wouldn’t bet against farmers holding onto stock and forfeiting the payment.”
The INHFA leader pointed out how this possibility could be quite embarrassing and damaging to our Minister and Department and jeopardise future funding opportunities.

When all of this is considered, it is he stated “vital that the Minister avails of the flexibilities allowed by the EU Commissioner for Agriculture in relation to Pillar 2 Schemes and removes the production reduction requirement.”

O’Donnell concluded by addressing the issue of the 200 farmers who applied for a stocking reduction derogation in BEAM last year. These farmers he stated “have not yet being paid nor informed if the DAFM have accepted their claim where a reduction in stock numbers would impact on compliance with existing Pillar 2 schemes such as the Commonage Management Plans in GLAS.”

INHFA writes to TDs and senators over management of protected land LINK