IFA Secures Strong Commitment From Minister Coveney on Protecting the Single Farm Payment in CAP 2013

At a meeting in Dublin this week, the Minister of Agriculture Simon Coveney told the IFA President John Bryan that he was making some progress to deal with Ireland’s concerns on CAP reform, and especially on securing a flexible payment model based on approximation to protect the Single Farm Payment of farmers. Minister Coveney told […]

IFA Issues Warning Not To Purchase Animals Of Unknown Origin

IFA President John Bryan has issued a strong warning that farmers should be extremely careful in protecting the health status of their herds and not to purchase animal of unknown origin.   John Bryan said Irish farmers have invested heavily in raising the health status of the national herd. “The irresponsible actions of a few […]

A New AEOS 3 Scheme Vital To Support Farm Incomes – IFA

IFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy said a meaningful AEOS 3 scheme must be put in place for the thousands of farmers who have finished REPS 3, and who are very dependent on the scheme to support their farm income.   Flor McCarthy said a substantial number of the 13,000 farmers who finished REPS 3 […]

Superlevy Advice Must Not Damage Long Term Productive Potential – Kiersey

The latest national update on superlevy shows that butterfat adjusted milk supplies for the April 2011 to January 2012 period are just 0.3% below quota.  IFA National Dairy Committee Chairman Kevin Kiersey called for carefully tailored, mindful advice from Teagasc and co-ops to help farmers minimise their exposure without damaging their herd’s long term productive […]

IFA Welcome New Beef Discussion Group Programme

IFA President John Bryanhas welcomed the launch of the new Beef Discussion Group programme by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.   Speaking at the Teagasc suckler cow event in Kilkenny mart, John Bryan said IFA worked hard to secure €5m funding for Beef Discussion Groups and this is a very positive initiative for the […]

Reform Of Water Sector Must Not Add To Costs For Rural Ireland – IFA

IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman Harold Kingston has welcomed the consultation commenced by the Department of the Environment, regarding the reform of the delivery of water services in Ireland as “a necessary measure to reduce costs and duplication by the 34 county and city councils which have responsibility for water investment and maintenance.” Mr. […]

Weaker Euro Gives Competitiveness Boost To Food Exports, But Economic Uncertainty Remains A Concern – IFA Outlook

IFA Chief Economist Rowena Dwyer has said the weakening of the euro in early 2012 is providing a welcome competitiveness boost for agri-food products, but the underlying uncertainties in the eurozone, and weakness in the UK market, remain a concern for product prices and incomes for the year ahead. Ms Dwyer was speaking at the […]

Banks Approach To Farm Families Must Maintain Viable Businesses – IFA

At the start of 2012, IFA President John Bryan has called on all banks to engage constructively with farmers and small businesses, whose debt levels are threatening the viability of otherwise sustainable businesses.   He said “IFA is promoting a loan-restructuring strategy with banks where farmers would agree to dispose of non-core assets, with the […]

Retro-Fit Scheme Must Be Part Of Septic Tank Plan – IFA

IFA National Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman Pat Farrell has called for the introduction of a retro-fit scheme for rural dwellers, who could face higher compliance obligations as part of new legislation on septic tanks.   Pat Farrell was critical of the failure of the septic tank legislation to provide any assistance to rural dwellers […]

EU Beef Market Prospects Positive – IFA

IFA National Livestock Committee Chairman Michael Doran said the prospects for the EU beef market are very positive, with prices forecast to stay rising in 2012. Speaking following an EU Beef Advisory meeting in Brussels, Michael Doran said the EU Commission is forecasting beef prices to continue rising in 2012, driven by lower production and […]