Minister Launches New Teagasc Advisory Programme

19 January, 2004

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Joe Walsh, today launched an intensive Teagasc advisory programme aimed at helping farmers to adapt to the radical changes in EU policy which come into effect from 1 January, 2005.

The Planning Post Fischler programme is focused on providing expert support to farmers in assessing the implications of the new policy and in gearing production to real market needs. It will involve a combination of group discussions and individual advice in developing and implementing an action plan for each participating farmer.

Teagasc Director, Jim Flanagan, said the complete decoupling of EU payments from production will force every farm family to fundamentally examine their production systems. He urged them to start this process now in order to have an action plan in place when the new policy is introduced.

“The Planning Post Fischler programme brings together the full range of research, advisory and training expertise in Teagasc in ensuring that farm families receive the most effective support in confronting the challenges resulting from the transformation in EU policy. It will help farmers exploit the opportunities both inside and outside the farm gate in order to ensure a viable household income and generate a good quality of life,” said Jim Flanagan.

Donal Carey, Director of Operations with Teagasc, said the programme will focus on the needs of distinct groups of farmers.

“Many full-time farmers will need to increase the scale of their business in order to maintain income. Our programme will ensure that they get the best planning, business management and technological advice and training support. This will be backed up with the latest production blueprints from Teagasc research centres.”

“Other farmers will decide to draw their EU payments and maintain or reduce production levels. These also need a high level of support in order to ensure that their income is maintained,” he said.

Donal Carey said that the one in three farmers who are who are now combining farming with an off-farm job are also a priority group. These farmers account for a significant proportion of agricultural output and their future farming system as well as the organisation of the farm business will be vital in maintaining income and improving quality of life.

The Planning Post Fischler Programme will also guide farmers who are not capable of making a viable income from farming towards a supplementary enterprise or an off-farm job, in order to protect their future viability. Teagasc will be working closely with other national and local agencies in ensuring that these farmers receive the necessary support and training.

Donal Carey stressed that the decisions taken over the coming year will have a crucial impact on the welfare of tens of thousands of farm families.

“It is therefore important that the entire farm family is involved in the analysis of the options and the development of a way forward plan. We are encouraging not just the main farm operator but also spouses, partners, and successors to attend the group discussion stage of the Planning Post Fischler programme,” he said.

Click here to download the Planning Post Fischler brochure.