The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA) has called for a Universal Basic Income for farmers in Budget 2022.

In its pre-budget submission, the farmer organisation is proposing that the government introduce, on a trial basis, 500 spaces for a universal basic income for farmers currently on Farm Assist.

The INHFA proposes that a qualifying adult should receive €200/week and €100/week for dependent children.

This would be based on the recipient continuing to farm while receiving the payment, the association said.

Apart from that, the INHFA is also seeking changes to the Farm Assist Programme to improve its roll-out and accessibility, including a reduction in the amount of income assessed in the means test.

In terms of specific farm supports, the association highlights once again the promotion of suckler beef.

The submission calls for the €6 million commitment for the promotion of suckler beef (agreed in the Beef Market Taskforce) to be increased to €12 million over three years (€4 million per year).

In terms of actual payments to suckler farmers, the INHFA calls for an increase in the budget for the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Sucklers (BEEP-S) scheme to €100 million.

The current programme also needs to be reviewed to increase the emphasis on animal welfare, according to the organisation.

For sheep farmers, the INHFA is looking for a continuation of a welfare scheme for sheep, with an increased budget of €36 million per year, paying up to €20/ewe.

The submission also calls for additional animal welfare options, including a replacement ewe lamb measure.

The INHFA also wants advance payments of 80% from the welfare scheme to be made by April 15, each year, and for cost of electronic identification (EID) tagging to be covered.

On the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, the organisation wants to see the budget increased to €275 million and an increase in the rate per hectare; and the rate of eligible hectares from 34 to 40.

On the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), the INHFA seeks the inclusion of the following measures:

Other farm support measures sought by the INHFA include: