ICMSA say “penny-pinching” reductions to Green Diesel “the equivalent of throwing a bun at a bear”

Reacting to the news that Green Diesel will be reduced via both excise and NORA by five (5) cents per litre, the President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, described the cut in price as “wholly inadequate” and the equivalent of “throwing a bun at a bear” in terms of addressing soaring farm inputs like fuel and fertiliser at the same time as dairy and beef prices were either below the costs-of-production or slumping fast. Mr. Drennan said it was obvious that much more radical measures were required for primary food producers and he said that farmers were entering a ‘perfect storm’ where the Government seemed unable or unwilling to address inflationary factors that were within its purview and were driving up the costs of producing food, while simultaneously the prices paid to farmers were falling or stagnant. Mr. Drennan said that an investigation is needed into why ‘Green’ diesel had risen in price at a much faster pace than ordinary diesel and, quite clearly, the issue of carbon tax equivalent to 17 cents per litre on green diesel can no longer be ignored and is going to have to be addressed. The relief available to farmers for the increase in carbon tax on farm diesel needs to be extended to agricultural contractors and the process badly needs to be simplified”, said Mr. Drennan.   

“Farmers need decisive action and meaningful reductions in their costs and instead we are getting these minor and marginal penny-pinching measures that are the equivalent of throwing a bun at a hungry bear”, he concluded.

Ends.       24 March 2025

Denis Drennan, 086-8389401

President, ICMSA 

Or 

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office