IFA welcomes Vegan Society call for plant‑based food fund ahead of Budget 2027

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has described the Vegan Society of Ireland’s proposal for a national plant‑based food fund as “really, really welcome”.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, IFA spokesperson Gerard Kiely noted that a recent Vegan Society survey found four in five Irish adults want to eat more fruit and veg, yet Ireland imports about 83 % of its produce. He highlighted that only 70 commercial vegetable growers remain in the country, down from around 600 in the 1990s, and suggested a Danish‑style fund could provide capital grants and export advice to help farmers expand horticulture.

IFA President Francie Gorman agreed that additional support for the horticultural sector would be “really, really welcome”. He said the association has long highlighted the decline in commercial growers and the high costs of labour, energy and investment that small numbers of highly capitalised businesses face.

Both groups urged the Government to increase assistance for horticulture ahead of the 2027 Budget.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: João Jesus / Pexels.