GLAS Extension Will Provide Farmers with Certainty
IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins said the announcement that farmers participating in GLAS 1, 2 or 3 will be offered an option to extend their contract into 2022 will provide certainty for applicants. The existing contracts are due expire next month and the extension is part of EU CAP Transitional Rules. It has been […]
Farmers Excluded from Renewable Energy Strategy
IFA President Tim Cullinan said that while the announcement today of a significant solar farm coming onto the grid in Cork is positive, the Government is failing to embrace the potential of farms to generate renewable energy. “Almost every farm has the potential to generate renewable energy for its own use and ultimately to […]
The CAP reform agreement betrays the commitments made by the EU – ECVC
For ECVC, this CAP reform fails to meet the nine CAP objectives and the objectives set out in the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. At the close of the trilogue negotiations on the CAP reform, European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) expresses its frustration and disappointment with regard to the agreed […]
Farmers with TAMS work need faster response to rising building costs
IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins said the Dept of Agriculture is not responding quickly enough to rising building costs, especially steel. The increases are having a knock-on effect on items such as LESS equipment and meal bins, which is adding significantly to costs for farmers doing TAMS work. “Delays in issuing approvals, […]
Ifac reminds farmers to take advantage of the Organic Farming Scheme
Farmers considering an application to the Organic Farming Scheme have until the 30th of April to do so, following the re-opening of the scheme earlier this month with an additional budget of €4 million for 2021. This additional funding was confirmed by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa […]
Government ‘REPS’ pilot scheme must deliver real money to farmers – IFA
IFA President Tim Cullinan said the ‘REPS’ pilot results-based scheme proposed by the Department of Agriculture based on the much-hyped commitment in the Programme for Government needs to deliver real money to farmers. The IFA President led a delegation including National Rural Development Chair Michael Biggins and National Hill Chairman Flor McCarthy to meet Minister for […]
Ulster Bank Cannot Throw Farmers To The Vultures
IFA President Tim Cullinan said that Ulster Bank cannot sell its loan book to a vulture fund. “It’s estimated that there are 10,000 farmers with borrowings from Ulster Bank, and a further 10,000 availing of current account facilities. Ulster Bank must make a commitment that it will not to sell its loan book to […]
Farmers Face €40m Clawback On Flawed Beam Scheme
IFA President Tim Cullinan said IFA held a constructive and frank discussion with the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and his senior officials yesterday on the 5% reduction requirement in BEAM scheme. “There are 18,000 farmers currently not achieving the reduction, which could see these farmers having to hand back as much as €40m out […]
New incentives for Farmers to Invest in Farm Safety Equipment
IFA National Farm Business Chairperson Rose Mary McDonagh has welcomed the inclusion in the Finance Act 2020 of updated Accelerated Capital Allowances for farm safety equipment. The new scheme allows for 50% capital allowances per annum for two years for eligible equipment. Eligible equipment includes chemical storage cabinets and anti-backing gates, as well as […]
Teagasc announces new telephone helpline for farmers
A new Teagasc telephone helpline to assist farmers with queries in relation to the current COVID-19 challenge has been set up. It was announced by Professor Tom Kelly, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer: “Teagasc have put in place a dedicated helpline for farmers to get advice on the range of issues that they may face […]
