Agriculture

THE PROPOSAL

1) Introduce stronger measures against unfair purchasing practices and improve transparency on farm-gate prices, production costs and retailer margins. Seek EU action against sustained below-cost purchasing where legally appropriate.

2) Review energy, fertiliser, veterinary and machinery costs. Expand group purchasing, nutrient recycling and targeted investment supports, using available EU funding where possible.

3) Improve access to finance, succession advice and tax reliefs, and review barriers facing young entrants and farm partnerships.

4) Support Irish-owned food processing, local abattoirs where viable, horticulture, tillage and direct sales. Use transparent public procurement criteria to create opportunities for Irish producers within procurement law.

5) Simplify farm-scheme administration, pay farmers promptly for completed work, and ensure environmental requirements are practical, evidence-based and fairly compensated. Protect water quality while supporting viable farms.

7) Require referendums on policy decisions impacting on Irish agriculture such as Mercosur and CAP.