Macra calls for fuel cap in light of current crisis gripping the country

Macra voiced the concerns of young people around the country ahead of Friday's stakeholder meeting in Dublin, around the ongoing fuel crisis gripping the country.

A spokesperson for the organisation said there were "key asks" to be present based on results of a fuel and fertiliser survey of its members.

"Macra has called for urgent and targeted supports for young people living in rural Ireland ahead of Friday’s fuel meeting at Agriculture House in Dublin, as nationwide fuel protests continue," said the spokesperson in a statement to Waterford News & star.

Over 370 young farmers, contractors and rural dwellers responded to a Fuel and Fertiliser Crisis survey circulated by Macra to its membership. 

The findings highlighted the scale of the pressure facing rural communities.

The spokesperson said that over 94 per cent of respondents indicated they are financially impacted by rising fuel costs.

However, 72 per cent said they can no longer afford to fill their car since prices escalated.

Macra members also expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Government’s response to date, including excise duty reductions and the pausing of the NORA levy.

The organistion's spokesperson said that many respondents indicated the measures didn't go far enough and that more needs to be done.

She said Macra was calling for a cap of fuel prices at "pre-crisis" levels.

The spokesperson also offered initiatives that could be introduced to make that possible.

"This could be supported through a range of measures, including further reductions in excise duty, consideration of reduced VAT rates, and a pause on Carbon Tax increases," she said.

"At a minimum, Macra is seeking the inclusion of agri-contractors in existing relief schemes and the postponement of any planned increases in Carbon Tax," she added.

She said that organisation was also reiterating the call for a dedicated crisis response scheme to be established.

"The organisation is also reiterating its call for a dedicated crisis response scheme for farmers and contractors using agri-diesel, reflecting the significant increase in costs in recent months," she said.

Meanwhile, Macra National President, Josephine O'Neill also commented on the matter and in particular highlighted the dramatic increase in agri-diesel prices.

 “Agri diesel has increased dramatically in recent months and is rising at a faster rate than road fuels," she said.

"These are costs that young farmers simply cannot absorb, particularly at a time of other input pressures," she added.

"The measures announced to date have not kept pace with the reality on the ground, and more decisive action is now required," said Ms O'Neill.

The spokesperson said Macra also intended highlighting concerns regarding the supply and cost of fertiliser, including the impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

She said the organisation was calling for the suspension of the CBAM in light of current pressures experienced within the sector.

In conclusion, Ms O'Neill said Macra's priority was to ensure that fuel costs were brought back down to an affordable level.

"Our priority is to ensure that fuel costs, particularly agri-diesel, white diesel and petrol, are brought back to manageable levels," she said.

"We have seen in other countries that stronger interventions are possible," she added.

"Any measures introduced must be practical and accessible, particularly for young farmers who may not have the cash flow to benefit from delayed supports such as rebate schemes.”