Achill farmers meet IFA national leadership over serious ACRES problems

A major public meeting of Achill farmers was held in Ted’s Function Room, Cashel, Achill Island, on Saturday February 28 at 2pm, bringing together a large attendance of local farmers, their families, and senior representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) to address the ongoing and deeply concerning impact of the ACRES scheme on farming and rural life in the Achill Parish.

The IFA delegation included Senior Policy Executive Shane Whelan, Policy Executive Rachel Maloney, National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden, and Hill Farming Committee representative James Gallagher. Their presence reflected the seriousness of the situation facing Achill farmers and the growing recognition at national level of the unique structural farming challenges in the parish.

The purpose of the meeting was to examine in detail the ongoing dysfunctional effects of the ACRES scheme, scoring, commonage assessments, peatland designations, and landscape actions, which are having a profound and damaging impact on farm families and the wider Achill community.

Throughout the meeting, farmers spoke candidly and powerfully about their direct experiences with the scheme. Many outlined how ACRES scoring has dramatically reduced expected payments, undermined farm viability, and created financial uncertainty. Particular concern was expressed regarding the scoring of peatland commonage areas, historic turbary rights, ACRES Landscape Actions and the disproportionate impact of the scheme on Achill’s uniquely small fragmented landholding structure.

Farmers also highlighted the wider social and economic consequences, including loss of income to them and the local economy, reduced confidence in future schemes, and growing concern about the long-term sustainability of farming in next CAP payments on the island. Senior IFA representatives listened carefully to the testimonies and engaged directly with farmers’ questions. They acknowledged the distinct nature of Achill farming and the severity of the issues raised. 

Importantly, the IFA confirmed that Achill would now receive focused attention, and that a local operational working group will be supported in developing specific policy recommendations to address the structural inequities identified. Achill IFA has welcomed the constructive engagement and the commitment given by the national representatives. Achill IFA also expressed sincere thanks to all farmers, family members, who attended and contributed.

Achill IFA confirmed that work has already begun locally. Cooperation with IFA representatives and policy advisors will continue to develop detailed proposals aimed at protecting the future viability of farming and rural life in the Achill Parish.

Pictured above: James Kilbane Achill IFA, Padraig Corrigan Achill IFA, IFA Hill Sheep Committee, James Gallagher, Policy Executive Rachel Moloney, National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden, Senior Policy Executive Shane Whelan, Achill IFA Chairman
Dominic Veasey.

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