Farmers’ Unpaid Rates
The Minister said farmers able to pay should do so, while those in genuine difficulty should contact their local authority, which should respond sympathetically. He was unaware of reports that collectors were threatening enforcement notices and said the intended approach appeared to be followed.
Will the Minister outline the policy he intends to follow with regard to the portion of the rates not paid by the agricultural community?
Comment on this
The Minister for Agriculture and I made a clear statement on this matter some months ago. The IFA endorsed our attitude, that where farmers could pay then they should pay if only to relieve pressure on other farmers not in a position to pay. Any farmer who has genuine difficulty with regard to payment should contact the appropriate officer in the local authority concerned and the authority in question should have a sympathetic attitude towards those farmers.
Comment on this
Is it not true that rate collectors have been trying to collect that portion of £13.14 million owed by farmers in 1980 and that they have been threatening to apply six-day notices and so on?