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Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue, has said if Fianna Fáil is returned to government, it will ensure that Irish farming families are not scapegoated by climate action.
Speaking at the launch of Fianna Fáil’s policy vision for agriculture and rural Ireland in Boyle Co. Roscommon ahead of next Friday’s general election, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said his party will continue to fight hard to retain the Nitrates Derogation as a national priority and will increase direct supports to farmers’ incomes.
“Fianna Fáil sought the Agriculture portfolio in 2020 because of the absolute priority we place on supporting our fishers and farmers,” Minister McConalogue said.
“In Government, we introduced unmatched farm supports. This is because we recognise the hard work farmers do, and we recognise it must be given the economic backing to drive investment and production. Since 2020, we have paid out over €9 billion to farmers to support family farms,” he added.
“Our commitment to fishers and farmers is as strong today as it has ever been. Put simply, the manifestos and commitments of the other parties do not match our ambition in offering major supports to farmers and fishers.
“Fianna Fáil believes in the future of Irish agriculture and rural Ireland, believes we can achieve our environmental objectives while growing the agrifood sector and is committed to making sure that farming remains a vital part of Ireland’s society and economy,” Minister McConalogue commented.
“Fianna Fáil believes Ireland’s family farms and the agrifood sector as a whole are not only our most important indigenous industries but that they also have an immense social and cultural importance to our country,” the Donegal minister added.
