A local councillor is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine to listen to farmers' concerns in Co Monaghan.
Sinn Féin's Sinead Flynn has warned that upcoming Government changes to VAT rules for poultry farmers will drive up the price of both chicken and eggs, placing extra pressure on producers and families in Co Monaghan.
From 1st September 2025, the long-standing farmers' flat-rate VAT addition of 5.2% will be abolished.
This scheme allowed poultry farmers to recover some of the VAT costs they pay on essential inputs such as feed, heating, equipment, and veterinary bills.
Cllr Flynn says this is an "unnecessary blow" to poultry farmers in Monaghan who are already dealing with "soaring input costs."
She believes this policy makes "no economic sense" and has called on Martin Heydon to "step up" and ensure the voices of rural producers are heard.
Cllr Flynn told Northern Sound: "They are already dealing with soaring input costs, and this change will cut into already tight margins. Farmers will have no choice but to pass these costs along, and that means higher prices for chicken and eggs at a time when families are struggling with the cost of living.
"Minister Heydon must listen to the needs of all of the farmers in County Monaghan. Instead of creating extra burdens, Government policy should be supporting those who put food on our tables. The move will be particularly damaging for smaller farms, which play a vital role in sustaining rural jobs and the local economy.
"This policy makes no economic sense. It squeezes our local producers and raises food prices for consumers, during a cost of living crisis this is the exact opposite of what rural Ireland needs right now."
