The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Toole (Chief Executive Officer), Bord Bia

Intent: To see what process Bord Bia have in mind to short list members for the forum.::To seek assurance that every farmer and grower who applied would have a chance to attend a forum.::To ensure the forum would have a credible chair.

Methods: EmailInformal communicationLetter

Politician(s) lobbied: Ruth Coppinger (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seamus McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard Boyd Barrett (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Thomas Gould (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rory Hearne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul McAuliffe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat Casey (Senator), Seanad; Joe Flaherty (Senator), Seanad; Aubrey McCarthy (Senator), Seanad; Maria McCormack (Senator), Seanad; PJ Murphy (Senator), Seanad

Intent: To highlight that a core element of IFA membership includes insurance that protects landowners and members when accessing private land, alongside delivering education and training through a range of courses that promote safety, responsibility and best practice.::To highlight that the hunting of wild birds in Ireland operates within a statutory framework under the EU Birds Directive, the Wildlife Acts and the Open Seasons Order.::That any decisions relating to the sustainable hunting of wild birds must be grounded in robust scientific evidence. To stress the importance of hunting and shooting. In making decisions about the sustainable hunting of wild birds and the future of rural pursuits, it is essential that those who live, work and use the land are part of that conversation.::To emphasise that the importance of hunting and shooting is often underestimated. It delivers practical conservation outcomes and supports rural economies. Each season, members invest in licences, equipment, dog

Methods: EmailInformal communicationMeetingSubmission

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Cassidy (Special Adviser), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Jim O'Toole (Chief Executive Officer), Bord Bia; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Sinead McPhillips (Secretary General), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: To participate in the Food Vision 2023 Stakeholder meeting. IFA feeDback to DAFM:::To focus on farmer experience with Bord Bia audits.::To establish a farmer forum on the Quality Assurance Scheme to improve farmer engagement and two-way feedback on the work of Bord Bia.::To recommend a dedicated information campaign with stakeholder input, to better inform the general public about Origin Green and Quality Assurance Schemes and that means for consumers in Ireland and elsewhere.::To support the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines initiative to enhance understanding of global supply chains for Irish food and drink and the understanding of labelling and food information for consumer requirements.::To question proposals circulated following the industry and farmer stakeholder meeting::1. To revisit the focus on farmer experiences with audits, as we move towards the end of the criteria review process in the Technical Advisory Committees (TAC).::- IFA has consistently sought Bor

Methods: EmailInformal communicationMeeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Malcolm Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Thomas Byrne (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs

Intent: To accept an invitation to join a discussion panel with the Minister for European Affairs.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Cassidy (Special Adviser), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; June Fanning (Chief Veterinary Officer), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Sinead McPhillips (Secretary General), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: To highlight that, although the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has resolved some of the issues affecting live trade, it must ensure all international trade certs are amended so animals from Ireland can continue to be exported to these countries.::To stress that most EU Member States with BTV 3 have overcome the issues with live exports through bilateral trade arrangements. This is helpful and ensures this vital trade can continue, but there are additional costs involved for export to some countries that must be resolved.::That, at this time of year, vector activity is low which creates potential for the disease to be contained and eradicated. Trade disruption and potential production losses on farms, would impact directly and solely on farmers, if the disease spreads.::To propose that, with new outbreaks of FMD across the EU, the Government must develop comprehensive plans for managing these diseases should they enter the country. These plans must include the extent o

Methods: EmailInformal communicationMeeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alan Dillon (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Anne Rabbitte (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Brendan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Carol Nolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Charlie McConalogue (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Christopher O'Sullivan (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor Sheehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Social Protection; David Maxwell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Declan Kelly (Councillor), Galway County Council; Declan Meehan (Councillor), Donegal County Council; Eugene Cassidy (Councillor), Meath County Council; Francis Deane (Councillor), Meath County Council; Gareth Scahill (Senator), Seanad; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Justice; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister), Department of Education; James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Minister of State), Department of Health; Jim O'Toole (Chief Executive Officer), Bord Bia; Joe Flaherty (Senator), Seanad; Joe Fox (Councillor), Meath County Council; John McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health; Larry Murrin (Chairperson), Bord Bia; Louis O'Hara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maria McCormack (Senator), Seanad; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Martin Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Matt Carthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Fitzmaurice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Gallagher (Councillor), Meath County Council; Michael McBride (Councillor), Donegal County Council; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Natasha Newsome Drennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; Niall Blaney (Senator), Seanad; Niall Collins (Minister of State), Department of Justice; Niamh Smyth (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Oliver Walsh (Councillor), Wexford County Council; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paraic Brady (Senator), Seanad; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Pauric Clerkin (Councillor), Monaghan County Council; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pip Breen (Councillor), Wexford County Council; Richard O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard Truell (Councillor), Monaghan County Council; Robbie Gallagher (Senator), Seanad; Ryan O'Meara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sarah O'Reilly (Senator), Seanad; Seamus Coyle (Councillor), Monaghan County Council; Seán Fleming (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sean Gilliland (Councillor), Monaghan County Council; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Finance; Sinead McPhillips (Secretary General), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Tony McCormack (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; William Aird (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Willie O'Dea (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Winston J. Bennett (Councillor), Cavan County Council

Intent: To highlight that Bord Bia is responsible for the Quality Assurance standards on Irish farms. It is Bord Bia which inspect farms to ensure these standards. Farmers are constantly told that the customers want high standards. Yet now farmers find out that the Chair of Bord Bia's company Dawn Farm Foods is using Brazilian beef apparently at the behest of these same customers.::That IFA along with other farm organisations were scheduled to be in discussions with Bord Bia about Quality Assurance standards on farms. As farmer representatives, IFA cannot expect farmers to engage in meetings on standards while the Chair uses Brazilian beef.::To appeal to both the Minister for Agriculture and the Chair of Bord Bia to realise that prolonging this issue is not in anybody's interest and to put forward a proposal that the Chair should stand down, in the interests of Bord Bia and in the interests of Irish farming. The Minister must see the damage it is doing.::To highlight how Ireland has built up

Methods: EmailInformal communicationLetterMeetingPhone callSocial MediaVirtual Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs

Intent: That providing stability for businesses and maximising the opportunities in Ireland's economic relationships remains the focus in the face of current trade turbulence. ::To continue to work closely with the European Commission and other EU partners as we respond to emerging issues.

Methods: EmailSubmission

Politician(s) lobbied: Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Grace Boland (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louis O'Hara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pa Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shane Moynihan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: To point out that farmers live and work in the vicinity of the airport and while the presence of the airport and it's national importance is fully accepted, the balance must be maintained between a local vibrant community and a busy hub like the airport.::To propose that further growth of connectivity would be best served by regional airports such as Shannon, Cork and Knock and this would greatly enhance regional development and ease the pressure on an already overcrowded Dublin Airport.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To highlight that current EU practice works – without added risk. For many years and in case of HPAI outbreaks, competent authorities across the EU have applied a clear and effective sequence::1. Preliminary C&D and immediate disease control measures;::2. Surveillance and restrictions in protection and surveillance zones;::3. Lifting of measures based on risk assessment, once surveillance confirms no further spread;::4. Final C&D at a later stage, when technically and logistically feasible.::To emphasise that this risk-based practice has been applied for many years without any known case of re-infection of a zone due to measures being lifted before final C&D, once the competent authority had confirmed that the risk of spread was negligible. The current system is effective and science based. It protects animal health and trade confidence without unnecessary prolongation of restrictions.::That requiring final C&D before lifting measures is disproportionate and harmful.::To highlight tha

Methods: EmailInformal communicationSubmission

Politician(s) lobbied: Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor Ryan (Councillor), Clare County Council; Donna McGettigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gordon Daly (Director of Services or Equivalent), Limerick City and County Council; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Killeen (Councillor), Clare County Council; Martin Conway (Senator), Seanad; Pat Burke (Councillor), Clare County Council; Pat Hayes (Councillor), Clare County Council; Timmy Dooley (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Tom O'Callaghan (Councillor), Clare County Council

Intent: To meet with local public representatives and request their support for the removal of the Chair of Bord Bia.

Methods: EmailInformal communicationMeeting