By Chris Ashmore

Up to €20 million could be taken out of the Donegal economy due to cut-backs in the farming sector, it was claimed this week.

Up to 1,000 farmers attended a major IFA meeting in Donegal Town Tuesday to express their anger and frustration at continuous Government cutbacks to key farm schemes. 

Farmers are furious with the Government’s decision to close the REPS 4 scheme.

And, coupled with previous cuts and more proposed by An Bord Snip, they fear the moves will seriously affect the incomes of every farmer in the county over the next two years.

Donegal farmers at the meeting called for a close down of all rural activities in protest at the Government’s decision to once again target farmers and effectively closing down the industry with cutback after cutback.  

Speaking at the meeting, IFA Deputy President, Derek Deane, said the Government has taken the easy option by attacking key farm schemes which play a significant part in support of farmers’ incomes. 

REPS and Disadvantaged Areas alone are worth up to €50m to the economy of Donegal and are vital in sustaining the livelihoods of 7,500 farmers.

Mr. Deane said the Government is making cuts to farm support at a time when farm income is on the floor. 

Teagasc Farm income analysis indicates that incomes fell by 13% in 2008 and IFA project that they will fall by 20% in 2009 due to low producer prices and Government cuts in vital farm schemes.  

IFA Donegal Chairman, William Monagle, stated that farmers in the county have been targeted by the Government and An Bord Snip on three occasions in the last nine months.  The cut to Disadvantaged Areas last November on top of the threatened cut of 11.5% in 2010, will wipe €6.5m from vital payments to Donegal farmers.

It is estimated that this along with other changes could take €20 million out of circulation.

The meeting unanimously called on Donegal’s three Government TDs and in particular An Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, to stand up and defend Donegal farmers and rural Ireland.