Current memberships may indicate policy relevance. They do not prove why a lobbying contact was made, and may not match membership at the time of older returns.
Intent: IFA Propose::• An appropriate compensation scheme, funded independent of CAP, is required to ensure farmers currently affected by designation are properly compensated for the farming restrictions placed on them and to account for loss of earnings and devaluation of land. Compensation should be permanent and in place for as long as the designation is in place.::A ‘no compensation, no designation' policy should apply. IFA oppose any further designations on farm land until current designations have been adequately compensated for and existing system inefficiencies redressed.::• No further restrictions should apply to lands currently designated. Instead, increased support (advisory; financial etc) should be provided and agricultural activity allowed to continue.::• Legislative provisions should be introduced to denote the voluntary nature of NRL interventions, with robust protective measures designed and in place to protect the security value and economic interests of adjoining landowners.
Intent: IFA propose the introduction of an agricultural Rainy Day Fund, which allows farmers across all sectors to put aside a small percentage of their gross receipts, whether in their coop, a specially assigned bank account, or a State Farm Volatility Fund.::IFA propose the deferred funds could subsequently be drawn down within the following five years, and the tax due would be paid in the year of withdrawal.
Intent: To highlight that despite consistently delivering a wide range of the highest quality food ingredients globally, most farmers struggle to obtain a positive market return for their endeavours.::IFA propose that targeted sectoral support sucklers (€300/cow), sheep (€35/ewe), tillage (€400/ha for additional land planted; €250/ha for cereal land retained), calf rearing (€100/dairy beef calf); beef sustainability (€100 per dairy and suckling yearling).::IFA propose that strong measures to support committed young farmers, female farmers & new entrants across all schemes.
Details: IFA Budget 2027 Submission - General Farm Schemes
Intent: To highlight that the ANC payment is the first direct payment typically received by farmers annually, and represents an integral revenue stream, particularly for the more vulnerable farm sectors. It offers support to farmers who face significant hardship from factors such as remoteness, difficult topography, climatic problems and poor soil conditions::IFA propose Increased funding should be allocated to the ANC scheme with existing payment rates adjusted for inflation (offering maximum payments of c.€5,500 for Category 1 lands and c.€4,000 for Category 2 lands at existing thresholds) and eligible area increased. This will help better preserve and protect the unique uplands eco-system; avoid land abandonment; and sustain the economic viability of a dwindling cohort of farmers::In 2024, €242.5m was spent on ANC, covering c.2.23m eligible hectares. However, an additional 1.24m ANC hectares was unpaid because of prevailing thresholds set.
Details: IFA Budget 2027 Submission - Areas of Natural Constraints (ANCs)
Intent: To highlight that farmers are fully committed to the enhancement of the environment along with maintaining the economic vibrancy and amenity value of the countryside and rural Ireland. This is demonstrated by the phenomenal uptake and actions taken by farmers in the beleaguered Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the fact that 97% of BISS applicants also committed to undertake voluntary eco-scheme actions.::IFA Propose that All farmers seeking to participate in an agri-environmental scheme must be accommodated. Farmers (most especially young farmers/new entrants) cannot be left without an agri-environmental scheme for the remaining term of the existing CAP programme.::IFA propose::There are a number of short-term changes required of the current ACRES scheme::- All outstanding payments should be issued to farmers as a matter of priority::- The ‘Landscape Bonus Payment' should be issued by way of a lump-sum payment end 2026::- The ceiling of €7,000 for results-based paymen
Intent: IFA Propose::• Immediate introduction of the seasonal work permit scheme aligned with the national minimum wage.::• A labour cost support scheme specifically for horticulture::• Freezing the GEP salary roadmap for horticultural employers.::• Consideration given to a new initiative to allow workers to earn tax-incentivised additional income from seasonal and harvest periods.
Intent: IFA Propose::• Increase funding to €15 million (from €8.5 million in 2024).::• Inclusion of specialised refurbished / second-hand equipment.::• Inclusion of BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) to be covered by any grant scheme. Many horticulture growers use large amounts of energy and storage for those with renewable sources is essential. Systems should not be limited in size and should be appropriate to the size and energy use of the enterprise.
Details: Investment Aid for Commercial Horticulture
Intent: IFA Propose::• Full income tax relief for landowners leasing land to horticultural growers for at least two consecutive years.::• Clear eligibility criteria to ensure the scheme supports active, productive use by commercial growers.
