All Promised Scheme Funding Must Be Paid To Farmers – IFA

IFA President Joe Healy has said that it is vital that the full allocation of funding to the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is used, and that any saving arising from underspends in some schemes must be put into existing schemes or used to support new schemes.   The IFA President was commenting on IFA analysis […]

Minister Creed Can No Longer Ignore Case for €200 For Suckler Cows – IFA

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said Agriculture Minister Michael Creed can no longer ignore the strong case for €200 for suckler cows.   He pointed out that last week in the Dail, Minister Creed accepted the Fianna Fail motion for €200 for suckler cows as it was clear that any other course of […]

Increased Budget Critical To Ensuring CAP Post 2020 Is Fit For Purpose – IFA

In response to the draft communication from EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, on the reform of the CAP Post 2020, IFA President Joe Healy has said an increased CAP budget is essential to ensure that the future CAP is effective and fit for purpose.   He said, “In contrast to the economic landscape of the […]

IFA Calls For TAMS Approvals For 5,000 FarmersIFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy has said approvals of TAMS II applications should commence within the next ten days and it is vital that the 5,000 farmers who applied in the first two tranches of the scheme but do not yet have approval are allowed to proceed with their work immediately. More than 6,000 farmers have applied for TAMS II to date. Only 1,000 of these applicants have got either full or part approval for Dairy Equipment and Low Emission Slurry. Flor McCarthy said the delays in getting approvals to all farmers are unacceptable. IFA is insisting that Minister Coveney puts in place a speedier approval process for the remaining tranches of the scheme. Flor McCarthy said that a number of farmers have expressed concern with regard to the payments of TAMS II grants given the income position on many farms. IFA has requested that farmers who have part approval should be paid for the amount of work that they have completed. IFA has also called on the Minister to implement the Sheep Fencing Scheme and tillage measures in the tranche of TAMS that commenced at the end of March. While the proposal to introduce Sheep Fencing has not been approved, the IFA has been told by the EU Commission that there is nothing to stop the Department of Agriculture from implementing it. The third tranche of TAMS II is now open and it is important that the full allocation of €395m to the scheme is fully utilised under the Rural Development Programme.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy has said approvals of TAMS II applications should commence within the next ten days and it is vital that the 5,000 farmers who applied in the first two tranches of the scheme but do not yet have approval are allowed to proceed with their work immediately.   More than […]

Knowledge Transfer Measure Must Work For Farmers

At this week’s IFA Executive Council meeting, concern was expressed that some of the proposed rules for Knowledge Transfer must be changed so the scheme will work for farmers in a more practical and effective way.   IFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy said the allocation of €100m to the Knowledge Transfer measure in the […]

Early Introduction of Farm Schemes Vital In New Rural Devlopment Programme

IFA President Eddie Downey has said the consultation process for the Rural Development Programme should get underway as soon as possible to avoid any delay in getting schemes up and running. He said the early introduction of all schemes should be the priority for the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.   He said IFA will […]

“LEADER Creates 1,246 Jobs for Rural Ireland and Supports 3,320 Enterprises”

Figures included in the upcoming publication “Follow the LEADER: Paths to Success – LEADER bringing out the best in rural Ireland” reveal that €87 million has been invested into the rural economy through the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme since 2009. This funding has been used to support over 3,320 local enterprises and […]

Enhanced concentration on enterprise support in RDP will drive recovery process in rural areas

Extra allocation of €10 million assigned to Basic Services Rate of aid for private promoters will increase from 50% to 75% Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced today (25th April, 2012) a number of changes to the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme that will see increased availability of […]