Independent TD Michael Lowry has told the Dáil that bureaucracy is “smothering farmers” and that the “actual pleasure” of farming is “slipping from their grasp”.
Deputy Lowry said that farmers are questioning “viability and survival prospects”, and that Ireland’s agriculture sector is in “danger of being squeezed out of existence”.
Farmers throughout Ireland are facing changes and challenges “unlike anything ever witnessed”, the independent TD for Tipperary told the Dáil yesterday (Thursday, March 21).
He said farmers are not against change and advancement but added that the “imposition of ever changing rules, regulations, inspection regimes and red tape is grinding down farmers”.
“Farmers have become so bogged down in adhering to a myriad of directives and tackling mountains of paperwork that the actual pleasure and satisfaction of farming is slipping from their grasp.
“Reduced sales prices, rising costs, heavy regulation, serious debt, climate change demands and cheap imports are threatening the livelihoods of farmers in my constituency,” he said.
The deputy added that while he has been meeting and talking with farmers for many years, he has never before witnessed such “exasperation and vexation” among farmers.
Dáil debate
The “imposition of negative measures” is leading to frustration and, “in many cases, despair”, he said and added that the desire for young farmers to take over farms has “almost evaporated”.
He raised farmers’ concerns in relation to the Mercosur deal, the reduction in Ireland’s nitrates derogation, and the economic viability of the tillage sector with Tánaiste Micheál Martin.
The Tánaiste said he has met with many farmers in respect to the nitrates derogation and said it is “essential” that the industry works with government to ensure its renewal in 2026.
Acknowledging that tillage farmers had a “difficult” year, he said “we have all witnessed the very significant rain we have had in the past number of months, and the water tables are very high.
“That is why the government provided more direct support for tillage farmers than at any other time in the history of the state,” the Tánaiste said in response to Deputy Lowry.
On the EU-Mercosur deal, the Tánaiste said that Ireland has consistently, at EU level, raised concerns about the impact of any deal, particularly on the beef market and the environment.
The Tánaiste said that there has been a “clear line” Ireland has taken on the deal, and that Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has been very clear that:
“There needs to be equivalence of standards and there needs to be expectations on countries that are importing into the EU as we expect of our own farmers and food producers”.
Deputy Lowry also raised farmers’ ongoing concerns over the issue of VAT rebates, forestry and the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) with the Tánaiste in the Dáil yesterday.
“The struggle to remain in farming is growing more challenging. Worry and stress replace incentive and planning. Strategies for growth have changed to prayers for survival,” he said.