BUDGET CUTS HITS LOW INCOME IRISH FARMERS

60,000 FARMERS HIT BY BUDGET 2008

• 40,000 disadvantage farmers lose up to €1,0055 per year due to cut from 45ha to 34ha
• Suckler welfare scheme cut by €40/head from 2009 – 54,000 farmers lose out.
• Suspension of €15,000 young farmer's installation aid.
• Early retirement scheme suspended. Elderly farmer's retirement and pensions blocked.
• Major shortfall in funding for farm waste management scheme.
• 5,000 farmers locked out of farm improvement scheme
• 14 million cut in fallen animal scheme
• 1% Income levy discriminates against farmers by disallowing depreciating and vital investment allowances.
• 28 million unpaid to sheep producers from the government sheep package.