Independent TD Carol Nolan has come out in support of Macra na Feirme in their recent appeal to the Minister for Finance.
The farming organisation recently published its submission to the Minister’s review on Consanguinity Relief and Farm Consolidation Relief, which are due to cease on the 31st of December.
These reliefs encourage generational renewal on Irish farms, which is faced with many challenges that Nolan has been highlighting for some time.
She said: “We have to remember that these challenges are taking place in the context of a loss of about 1,000 farms each day within the European Union, according to the EU Court of Auditors.”
“This led me to call on the Minister for Agriculture to conduct an immediate impact analysis on the effectiveness of the supports being offered to young farmers in January. Some of the supports that are clearly necessary, such as the Consanguinity Relief for non-residential property.”
Commitment
She echoed the thoughts of Macra na Feirme by agreeing that this relief should be retained at the current rate of 1% on all qualifying transfers beyond the 31st of December end-date.
“Forced fragmentation of farmland does little in terms of maximising productivity and generally only adds to costs and loss of productivity.”
“If our commitment to generational renewal is to become effective and meaningful, then I believe that the retention of these two reliefs is an excellent way to start.”
“It would signal a genuine commitment to young farmers, which is exactly what they need if they are to have any hope of choosing farming as viable way of life and source of income,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
