On Thursday, April 25th, the Farmers’ Charter of Rights meeting will be attended by an Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) delegation, following the decision made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to attend the meeting. The IFA has stated that it cannot accept any delay in farm payments, as it would cause huge difficulties for farmers. Last month, farmers were informed that Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) payments will be pushed back to October 17th, while Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payments will be made from October 24th.
Deputy President of the IFA, Brian Rushe, stated that “IFA did not attend that last meeting of the Charter and instead we sought a meeting with Minister McConalogue. As Thursday’s meeting will now be attended by the minister, we will attend. However, we want to be clear that the minister must ensure that farmers are paid on the same dates as previous years. The department has acted unilaterally. Delaying payments is totally wrong and IFA cannot accept any delay. This would cause havoc later this year as bills fall due at their normal time without there being money in farmers’ accounts to meet repayments.”
The IFA has called for the minister to take control of the situation and put resources in place to ensure payments are made on time. While most farm organizations have criticized the delay in payments announced by the DAFM, only the IFA chose not to attend the most recent Farmers’ Charter meeting.
It is important to note that the Farmers’ Charter of Rights is a voluntary initiative that was established in 2019. It aims to provide transparency and fairness in the supply chain for farmers. It is a forum where farmers and industry stakeholders can discuss issues and concerns related to the agricultural sector. The charter is not legally binding, but it provides a platform for discussion between the stakeholders.
Farmers are facing many challenges, including the impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. The delay in payments has added to their difficulties. Farmers rely on these payments to cover their costs and maintain their livelihoods. Any delay in payments can have serious implications for their businesses.
The IFA has been vocal in its opposition to the delay in payments. It has called for the minister to take action and ensure that payments are made on time. The IFA has also highlighted the importance of these payments for farmers. It has stated that delaying payments is not acceptable and can cause financial difficulties for farmers.
The delay in payments has been criticized by many farm organizations. They have called for the department to reconsider its decision and ensure that payments are made on time. The delay has caused anxiety and uncertainty for farmers. They need to know when they will receive their payments so that they can plan their finances accordingly.
In conclusion, the IFA’s attendance at the Farmers’ Charter of Rights meeting is an important step in addressing the delay in payments. The IFA has been consistent in its opposition to the delay, and it is important that the minister takes action to ensure that payments are made on time. Farmers are facing many challenges, and they need support from the government to overcome these challenges. The delay in payments has added to their difficulties, and it is important that the government takes action to address this issue.
