MINISTER FOR Agriculture Brendan Smith said yesterday he believed farmers and the wider rural community were willing to play their part in accepting certain difficult measures to cope with the economic downturn.
Defending the cuts in the Budget before several hundred young farmers attending the Macra na Feirme annual conference and rally in Galway, the Minister said none of the cuts had been made lightly.
Dealing with the suspension of new entrants to the Early Retirement Scheme and Young Farmer Installation Schemes next year, he said he had still provided almost €57 million for both the schemes.
"Believe me when I say that taking these types of difficult but necessary budgetary decisions is not easy, but I am of the firm view that they are in the best interests of the country," he said.
"I can assure farmers and the wider rural community of the Government's commitment to the future of the agriculture, fisheries and food sector. I will continue to do all I can to ensure the delivery of the type of supports necessary for our most important indigenous industry," he added.
Macra has been leading the criticism of the cutbacks in the retirement and installation grants next year, claiming they will prevent young farmers from getting access to land and will stop young people from entering the business of farming at this vital time.
Over 1,500 Macra members are expected to attend events over the weekend, which have the theme in featured seminars of Food Versus Fuel.