Smith calls for reversal of ‘discriminatory’ changes to Farm Assist payment

 
The government has been urged to rethink their ‘disgraceful and highly discriminatory’ changes to the Farm Assist payment, by a local TD. 
Cavan-Monaghan Deputy Brendan Smith said the changes to the qualification criteria for Farm Assist introduced in the budget have already had an enormous impact on the most vulnerable farmers in Cavan and Monaghan, to the point that it’s simply not worth their while continuing to farm. 
“These changes, which were introduced by the Social Protection Minister Joan Burton in the Budget, came into effect at the beginning of this month.  More than 1,000 farmers across Cavan and Monaghan have seen a huge cut in their income as a result,” said Deputy Smith. 
“Low-income farmers depend on this payment to keep their farms in business. I have spoken to some local farmers who have now seen the full impact of the changes and are genuinely fearful about their livelihood as a result. 
“Perhaps it’s a case that Dublin Minister Joan Burton simply did not understand the devastating impact that this cut would have on the farming community in this region. 
'But the Government representatives here, including the sitting Fine Gael TDs, must see just how harmful this will be to the local agriculture industry.  I am appealing to them to stand up for farmers who have low incomes and ensure that this harmful cut is immediately reversed.”