Sinn Féin introduces legislation to establish Commission on Future of the Family Farm
Bill submitted by spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, and Sinn Féin TD for Monaghan-Cavan, Matt Carthy
Sinn Féin has introduced the party’s legislation to establish a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm.
The legislation was launched together by party spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane, and Sinn Féin TD for Monaghan-Cavan, Matt Carthy.
Sinn Féin want to establish a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm, which would bring together stakeholders and experts tasked with bringing forward proposals aimed at allowing our farms not just to survive but to thrive over the rest of this century and beyond.
The establishment of a Commission is a long-standing call from Sinn Féin, and the legislation was developed during Deputy Carthy’s time as party spokesperson for Agriculture.
The proposal has also been included in our most recent general election manifesto and subsequent annual alternative budgets.
The legislation was introduced at first stage in the Dáil today.
Deputy Carthy says the Irish family farm "must be protected".
“Society has increased the demands on our farmers.
“They are expected to produce the highest quality food in the world, which they do. And they are expected to do that within the strictest animal welfare, environmental, biodiversity and climate rules in the world. Which they do.
“What’s needed is fairness. A fair CAP, fair prices and fair play.
“Our farming families face an onslaught of challenges but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael representatives, in Ireland and in Europe, add to the burden, expecting farmers to do more while receiving less supports.
“The challenge for those of us in public life is to put in place the framework that will allow our farming community to meet the challenges while remaining in businesses.
“Successive governments have failed in that regard.
“Sinn Féin’s legislation mandates government to establish a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm. The commission will be charged with examining the needs of the family farm as they contribute to biodiversity protection and emission reductions; but also to set out the necessary supports to ensure the continued economic viability of the family farm while they do so.”