The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association ANC campaign moved to Mayo where at a meeting in Newport 500 farmers were updated on INHFA proposals for the ANC review. Speaking after the meeting Mayo County Chair John Moran expressed delight with the turnout stating “how it clearly illustrates the support farmers have for the INHFA’s 3 point plan”.
The plan which calls for a specific payment on hill type land, proposes to frontload payments on the first 20ha at the rate of €250/ha, with a rate of €170/ha on next 14ha and €70/ha on next 6ha. This will he added “double payments for many farmers and provide critical support especially for smaller farms which will see a 20ha farm increase payments from €2056 up to €5000”
The meeting which was attended by Fianna Fail TD’s Lisa Chambers & Dara Calleary, Sinn Fein Senator Rose Conway Walsh and Independent MEP Marian Harkin heard from INHFA speakers how science alone should determine what land has a constraint. This was a point that was endorsed by the public representatives present.
With the next meeting planned for Peacocks, Maam Cross this coming Friday at 8pm Moran stated “how he expected a similar attendance at that meeting and questioned if any other farming organisation could continue to turn out crowds like this which is something the Minister and DAFM staff should carefully consider”
Moran concluded by thanking INHFA officers both at national and county level for their work and also the management and staff of Hotel Newport for their help and assistance.
