Kilkenny Farmers Risk Exclusion in New Forgotten Farmer Scheme

URGENT UPDATE: Kilkenny farmers may be at risk of being overlooked under the newly launched Forgotten Farmer Scheme, designed to recognize and support those who missed crucial payments during the mid-2000s. The ICMSA (Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association) has raised alarms over the scheme’s restrictive eligibility criteria that could exclude many deserving applicants.

In a statement made earlier today, Eamon Carroll, the Deputy President of ICMSA, emphasized that while the scheme’s introduction is a welcome development, its current framework is “unfairly narrow.” Carroll highlighted that the scheme’s cut-off date of December 31, 2007 will likely disqualify many farmers who began their careers during an economically challenging period and who currently find themselves in their late forties or early fifties.

“We have advocated for this initiative for years,” Carroll stated. “Yet, it is disappointing to see that numerous deserving cases will not qualify as things stand.” He called on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to rethink the eligibility requirements to include all farmers who entered the sector before 2015 and have never received young farmer payments.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Many farmers who began their careers during the mid-2000s economic downturn face exclusion from a program meant to provide them with essential support. The ICMSA urges the Minister to enact changes that would rectify this oversight, asserting that fairness should be prioritized in the distribution of these funds.

As the agricultural community watches closely, the next steps lie with the Department of Agriculture. Will they heed the calls for broader eligibility? Farmers across Kilkenny and beyond are hoping for swift action to ensure that no one is left behind in this critical support initiative.

This developing situation poses significant implications for the farming community in Kilkenny, making it imperative for stakeholders to advocate for adjustments to the scheme. The ICMSA is working tirelessly to address these concerns, and the outcome could alter the financial landscape for many farmers in the region.

Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.