Taoiseach Simon Harris has told the Macra Rally today (Saturday, October 26) that he will work towards developing a “comprehensive farm succession policy”.
The Macra Rally is taking place in Naas, Co. Kildare, and was addressed by the Taoiseach as well as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, and Minister of State Martin Heydon.
The Taoiseach told Macra members: “The family farm is at the heart of agriculture in this country, and I believe we have to do more work to assist the next generation in taking over the farm when the time is right.
“There will be an election before the end of the year… and it will come as no surprise to anyone that all political parities will be working on their manifestos and on their proposals to put to the people of Ireland.
“I have no doubt that the concerns of farmers, young and old, around succession planning will be to the forefront in everybody’s mind,” the Taoiseach added.
He said that visiting various agricultural shows earlier in the year was “invaluable in understanding the issues on the ground and hearing first hand from people not only of their concerns and problems but also the hopes and opportunities that they saw for the future”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks about generational renewal at the Macra Rally pic.twitter.com/YAatCm8rjo— Agriland (@AgrilandIreland) October 26, 2024
“I want to commit that I will do everything I can…to work to develop a comprehensive farm succession policy. We must devote focus and energy to the issue of succession, and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” the Taoiseach told the assembled Macra members.
“I want to work with you to ensure all generations can work together, and that the family farm can pass seamlessly from one generation to the other.
“I want to commit, in the lifetime of the next government, to very quickly…produce that detailed plan on how to make sure we can make real progress on that,” he said.
The Taoiseach also reiterated previous comments he made about engagement with farmers on the issue of climate change.
“We must have a much more respectable, engaging discussion with farmers. In many ways you understand the climate a hell of a lot better than other people. You work as close to it as you can be, on the land,” he said.
“Farmers are not unwilling to change. Farmers are not unwilling to follow the science. But farmers do want to know that their business, and it is a business, is going to respected in the same way as every other business.”
“We need a complete tone change in terms of how farmers are engaged with when it comes to climate action,” the Taoiseach added.