Farming
Combines ‘on road’ for just six weeks are liable for full yearly road tax
GALWAY farm leaders have hit out at the unfairness of the annual road tax system that’s in place for combines and self-propelled silage harvesters, even though they are only on the road for a couple of months each year.
After a week in which the queues for motor tax at Galway County Hall stretched out onto the footpaths at Bohermore, there has been considerable anger expressed at how the issue was handled by the Dept. of the Environment.
Bertie Roche, Chairman of the IFA’s Environmental Committee, told the Farming Tribune that the attitude of Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, in stubbornly refusing to grant an extension of the tax deadline date was ‘extremely disappointing’.
“I think that if the Minister announced over the weekend that the deadline was being extended for a couple of weeks, it would have prevented the kind of chaos people experienced this week.
“It wasn’t fair on the Council staff either, who did their level best to cope with the queues but the numbers were too much. A bit of common sense from the Minister, could have sorted this out,” said Bertie Roche.
IFA Grain Committee Chairman, Eamonn Burke, said that there was an inequity in the tax regime that applied to combine harvesters and self propelled silage harvesters.
“In the case of combines, they are only on the road for a couple of hours a day for a maximum of a six weeks period, yet there is no provision there for them to make a quarterly payment.
“For contractors the annual road tax rate for these machines comes in at over €300 and there is real inequity there at having to tax such vehicles for a full year,” said Eamonn Burke.
Concerns have also been raised at the high tax rate for quads or ATVs, also in the €300 plus bracket, for machines that are used most of the time on land.
Meanwhile there is also confusion over the testing regime and details that will apply to people who have to sit the ‘car and trailer test’ over the coming weeks and months.
Bertie Roche has advised farmers to contact the RSA (Road Safety Authority) Office in Loughrea in relation to any queries they have as regards the trailer licence stipulation.
“I’ve had a lot queries over recent weeks from farmers who cannot get details of this test. They are wondering where the test has to be carried out and they don’t know any details about the test centres,” said Bertie Roche.
The RSA Office in Loughrea can be contacted on lo-call: 1890-443-311 or email: www.transport.ie
SATURATED and waterlogged land across the West of Ireland over recent weeks has led to a surge in demand for fodder with demand and prices shooting up.
According to Galway IFA Chair, Stephen Canavan, the heavy rains of recent weeks has put a lot of farmers under pressure as regards feed.
He said that suckler farmers in particular — who were ready to let out cows and young calves — had to keep them housed due to the condition of the land.
“While most farms have a nice grass cover, the fields are imply saturated and there’s no sign of any improvement this week. Suckler farmers and some dairy farmers are under pressure,” he said.
Stephen Canavan also pointed out that it was becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to source good quality silage at this time of the year.
“Bales are making €35 off the farm and €40 delivered which is an added financial strain on farmers at a time that they expected their cows and cattle out to grass.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GALWAY farmers have been advised to ‘shop around; buy only what they need; and to consider buying in bulk from the North’, as they consider purchasing fertiliser over the next couple of weeks.
Farm representatives said this week that the overall downward price trend for fertiliser was continuing — both internationally and nationally — but that the big Irish suppliers were only very slowly adjusting to the market trends.
Connacht IFA Chair, Pat Murphy, said that last week a number of farmers in the Ardrahan area, including himself, purchased a load (approx. 28 tonnes) from a supplier in Donegal.
“I think that with the major Irish suppliers of fertiliser being so stubbornly slow in reducing prices, farmers should consider getting together and ordering a group delivery from the northern area.
“The fertiliser we bought is Yara which is a top-class product and can be readily sourced in terms of ordering a load (27-28 tonnes) at much lower prices than what’s on offer down here,” Pat Murphy told the Farming Tribune.
He said that it was coming to a critical time of the year for farmers in terms of getting fertiliser spread for early silage and grass but added that value for money had to be a priority.
“Price around, see what’s on offer locally, but if you’re not happy with that, well then maybe consider getting together with a group of other farmers and order a load down from the North.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
ANOTHER look at the strategy for the Athlone to Galway city Greenway has been called for by an IFA representative to ensure that the route serves local families and communities – as well as tourists.
Galway IFA Rural Development Representative, Peter Gohery, said that a common-sense approach in relation to the Greenway would steer it towards benefitting local communities as well as tourists.
“There is a lot more consultation with farmers and landowners needed on this project and there are many sections of roadway along this route which would lend themselves to the provision of a walkway cum cycleway alongside the road.
“Not only would this serve the tourism element of the project but it would also ensure that car usage between local villages and towns would also be reduced. This is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Peter Gohery.
He added that a perfect example of such an arrangement was in an approximately five kilometre stretch of roadway between Abbeyknockmoy village and Brooklodge in North Galway. alongside the very busy N63 Galway-Roscommon stretch of road.
“This has turned out to be an outstanding success not only for local people but for the many more visitors who travel to walk or cycle along this route.
“There’s a kerb and a green margin between the roadway and the walkway/cycle way which is busy seven days a week with people along this route.
“Families and children really make wonderful use of this facility. I want Galway County Council to take a look at this and see how successful it is. It really is a template that should be followed in terms of the Greenway development,” said Peter Gohery.
He also said that there needed to be far more ‘real consultation’ with landowners and farmers on the Greenway.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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