ANC changes a 'betrayal' of critical farming systems - INHFA

THE Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have hit out at recently announced proposals that will make the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC) voluntary for member states in the next CAP programme.

INHFA national president Pheilim Molloy has stressed the need for the proposed text to be changed back to ‘shall’ from the recently changed text that now states how member states ‘may’ provide support under the ANC Scheme.

This drastic change in text has, said Mr. Molloy, 'been included by our Minister for Agriculture in his role as chair of the Council of Ministers which in itself is a shocking betrayal of the 95,000 farmers currently receiving an ANC payment'.

He said: “The payment is a critical support. To leave this payment hanging by a thread and dependent on public finances or the whims of a minister is totally unacceptable.”

Mr. Molloy also cautioned about the political leverage this gives to the minister, which, he added, 'could see these lands left on a much reduced payment under the Degressive Area-Based Income Support (DABIS)'. “This new DABIS payment will,” he explained, “encompass the BISS and CRISS and currently has recommended payment bands between €90 and €240/ha.”

In concluding, Molloy called again on the minister to reverse this decision, 'and if he is not willing to do this then government TDs across rural areas need to engage the minister on this, as we will be with both them and the minister'.