MY BUDGET FARMER:OFFALY DAIRY farmer James Kane was relatively pleased with the Budget. "Farmers had really been badly hit in the last few budgets, so I think the Government realised they couldn't take any more cuts. With the bad weather, and falling commodity prices, it's been a devastating year."
Particularly welcome is the announcement of a €50 million agri-environmental scheme. Mr Kane took part in the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (Reps), under which farmers who carried out work in an environmentally friendly manner received a stipend.
His participation in the scheme was due to expire this coming year, so the announcement of a new scheme is welcome. Although slightly lower than Reps, farmers will be eligible for up to €5,000. Mr Kane is also delighted that capital expenditure on farm waste management equipment will be included as a tax-deductible expense against the income levy. Last year, Mr Kane spent €157,000 in waste management investments, including slurry tanks, a shed and a silage slab.
“This is great news . . . It was very unfair that spending on waste management equipment . . . was not included as a deductible expense when it came to the income levy.”
Suzanne Lynch