Leitrim farmers warn rising diesel prices could devastate hay and silage season

Macra has warned that Government measures aimed at easing rising fuel costs do not go far enough, as young farmers and rural communities face mounting financial pressure.

The organisation acknowledged the reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel but said the response falls short of what is needed to tackle rapidly increasing costs driven by global instability.

Macra National President Josephine O’Neill said the measures were both delayed and limited in scope.

“While we welcome the announcement, we do so with disappointment and frustration,” she said. “Young people and young farmers are grappling with significant cost increases, and the Government has been too slow to provide meaningful supports.”

She also criticised the exclusion of young farmers and agricultural contractors from the diesel rebate scheme.

On the ground, farmers say the impact is already being felt.

Carrigallen farmer and chairman of Carrigallen Macra, Cian Mimnagh, said rising diesel prices are beginning to hit young farmers hard ahead of the busy silage season.

“It’s definitely harder for younger farmers,” he said. “There are a few schemes out there, but a lot of people don’t qualify for them, so they’re facing the extra costs themselves every week.”

Mr Mimnagh warned that further increases could have a major knock-on effect on routine farm work.

“If the price keeps rising with the war and it goes up to €2.50 or €3 a litre, the cost of doing silage could jump massively,” he said. “Even if the price goes up by one euro per bale and you’re making 500 bales, you’re suddenly talking about serious money.”

“You could be talking close to a thousand euro just to fill machinery for the work that needs to be done.”

He stressed that diesel is essential to farm operations.

“You can’t really farm without diesel,” he said. “Everything relies on it.”

Most farmers depend on green diesel to run machinery, but prices have risen sharply in recent months, adding to financial strain.

Mr Mimnagh warned that continued increases could make it increasingly difficult for young people to stay in farming.

“It’s going to be harder and harder as these prices go up to make a living out of farming,” he said.

Macra said rising fuel costs are also affecting daily life in rural Ireland, where access to a car is essential due to limited public transport.

“Young people have already been feeling the pinch of inflation,” Ms O’Neill said. “This unexpected and significant rise in fuel costs will further stretch already tight budgets.”

She called on Government to introduce further supports, including easing fuel taxes for the duration of the current conflict.

Macra said reducing fuel costs is key to easing pressure on young farmers and ensuring rural communities remain viable places to live and work.