Lobbying Records (Page 1 of 5)
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-21
Intent: To highlight that a River Basin Management Plan for Ireland published this week shows the amount of work that is ongoing nationally and at farm level within the agricultural sector to improve water quality.::To highlight that the breadth of new measures and actions that have been implemented in the last number of years by farmers and the wider industry to improve water quality is significant.::To highlight that the plan clearly sets out the range of new measures that have been introduced under the 5th Nitrates Action Plan and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan, as well as the targeted programmes such as the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) or the Water European Innovation Partnership Scheme (EIP) that work directly with farmers reduce nutrient losses and support action.::To highlight that the Water Action Plan shows the drive of farmers and the wider industry to deliver improvements in water quality. The recently launched Better Farmin
Details: Water Action Plan
Officials: Aodhan O'Riordain, Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher, Ciaran Mullooly, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Kathleen Funchion, Luke Ming Flanagan, ...
Methods: Email, Informal communication
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: To highlight that the nitrates derogation is of huge importance to the Irish agri-food sector and the wider economy. The derogation allows grassland farmers to maximise the advantages of our grass-based system while somewhat balancing the significant economic disadvantages they encounter compared to European Union (EU) counterparts.::To highlight that the uncertainty around the future of the nitrates derogation is doing little to improve water quality but is causing havoc for Irish farmers who are in the dark as to what parameters they will be farming within from 2026.::To emphasise that the following is needed as a sector -::Fair analysis of the impact of agriculture on water quality::The sector fully accepts that agriculture has an influence on water quality. However, it is not the only pressure. Failings in other sectors, such as urban wastewater, cannot be allowed jeopardise Ireland's ability to retain a nitrates derogation. It is imperative that the impact of non-agricultural sour
Details: Retaining Ireland's Nitrates Derogation - Common Objectives
Officials: Alan Tobin, Anne Rabbitte, Aodhan O'Riordain, Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Bernard Durkan, Billy Kelleher, Brian Leddin, ...
Methods: Email, Social Media, Informal communication, ...
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: To highlight how the proposed increases in the non-domestic water tariffs will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable of farm families, extensive farmers on fragmented holdings with multiple water connections.::To highlight that the latest Teagasc Farm Survey , which was published on the 23rd July, shows that farm incomes have declined further in 2023, with the average farm income now less than €20,000, a drop of 20% from 2022. While the average income of drystock farmers (those most impacted by the increased tariffs) was on average €7,500 with suckler farmer incomes now the lowest on record.::To highlight that the reduction in farm incomes means that only 28% of farms in 2023 are viable, a sharp decline from 2022 when 43% of farms were viable. The financial viability is even more stark for extensive farming systems with only 11% of cattle rearing farms viable.::To emphasise that one of the guiding principles of the tariff framework is that tariffs should be equitable and not un
Details: Non-Domestic Water Tariff
Officials: Aodhan O'Riordain, Barry Andrews, Bernard Durkan, Billy Kelleher, Brian Cowen, Brian Leddin, Ciaran Mullooly, Claire Kerrane, ...
Methods: Letter, Email, Informal communication
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: To highlight the progression of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) since its proposal in 2021 and, through COPA COGECA, to continually relay IFA concerns about the potential impacts of its implementation for Irish farmers due to the complex and highly bureaucratic nature of the regulation.::To seek an immediate postponement of the implementation of the EUDR until the concerns of farmers are comprehensively answered and it can be ensured that farmers will not bear an unfair economic burden due to the associated bureaucratic complexities of the legislation's implementation.::To seek a more thorough assessment of the regulation, with pragmatic solutions, to ensure the EUDR does not have a significant negative economic impact on farmers in Ireland and the wider EU.
Details: European Deforestation Programme
Officials: Amii McKeever, Aodhan O'Riordain, Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher, Charlie McConalogue, Ciaran Mullooly, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, ...
Methods: Letter, Meeting, Informal communication, ...
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: That any boost in political / societal expectations of farmers must be matched with increased agricultural budgets, with inflation and new EU accession countries also accounted for.::That the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and its mechanisms, must put active farmers and food production at its core in design. Environmental ambition should be funded independent of CAP.::That the Government must invest in agriculture and support farm incomes/viability by providing the maximum permissible level of national co-financing to deliver essential targeted sectoral supports sucklers (€300/ cow), sheep (€30/ewe [€40/hill sheep]), tillage (€250/ ha for Tillage Survival Scheme in 2024; €400/ha in 2025 [€250/ ha in 2026-2028] for additional [and retained] cereal crops grown), calf rearing (€100/dairy beef calf); beef sustainability (€100 per dairy and suckling yearling).::ThataAll farmers should get at least 70% of their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payment in mid-October. Issues
Details: Simplified, Fully Funded Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
Officials: Aisling Moran, Alan Kelly, Amii McKeever, Anne Rabbitte, Antoín Watters, Aoife Masterson, Barry Ward, Bernard Durkan, ...
Methods: Submission, Letter, Informal communication
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: That a full impact assessment (financial, trade etc) of the fitness of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the broader EU Single Market must be undertaken in advance of future EU accession, with innovative solutions regarding EU budgets and policies implemented in advance, where required.
Details: EU Enlargement
Officials: Aisling Moran, Alan Kelly, Amii McKeever, Anne Rabbitte, Antoín Watters, Aoife Masterson, Barry Ward, Bernard Durkan, ...
Methods: Submission, Letter, Informal communication
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: To propose that The EU must not agree any trade deal which::- Further compromises the viability of EU agriculture sectors::- Sets a double standard in the market and undermines the quality and standards of EU food::- Trade agreements must include a sustainability requirement, the implementation must be monitored, and the sustainability work done recognised to ensure reciprocity in farm production standards and a level playing field to ensure fair trade.
Details: EU Trade Policy
Officials: Aisling Moran, Alan Kelly, Amii McKeever, Anne Rabbitte, Antoín Watters, Aoife Masterson, Barry Ward, Bernard Durkan, ...
Methods: Submission, Letter, Informal communication
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: CAP funding must remain a stand-alone allocation within the EU budget. It needs to be substantially increased and used to support farmers, food production and food security. The global demand for grain, meat and dairy is rising. If these products are not produced in Ireland, they will be made elsewhere with higher (negative) environmental impact. A separate EU environment fund, in addition to the CAP, must be created to support environmental action on farms.::This fund should include support for farmers with designated land and any actions that may arise from future implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law at National level. Future generations will not commit to farming without more certainty on funding streams.::ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME - The ACRES scheme has been shambolic and has failed to deliver for farmers. We need a revamped environmental scheme that provides farmers with a payment of up to €15,000.::NITRATES DEROGATION - The nitrates derogation is pivotal for the Irish farmi
Details: IFA CENTRAL ASKS of Political Parties and Dáil Éireann Candidates for the 2024 General Election
Officials: Aisling Moran, Alan Kelly, Amii McKeever, Anne Rabbitte, Antoín Watters, Aoife Masterson, Barry Ward, Bernard Durkan, ...
Methods: Meeting, Email, Informal communication, ...
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: To highlight ongoing challenges in the agriculture sector::To seek support for Irish agriculture production in the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).::To maintain funding and support for young farmers.::To highlight issues with succession and early retirement for farmers.::To seek continued support for live transport of animals.::To seek support for the postponement of EU Deforestation regulation.::To propose additional funding for Nature Restoration outside of the Common agricultural Policy (CAP).
Details: IFA Offaly visit to European Parliament
Officials: Aodhan O'Riordain, Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher, Ciaran Mullooly, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Kathleen Funchion, Luke Ming Flanagan, ...
Methods: Email, Informal communication, Meeting
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA
2025-01-18
Intent: To call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to provide more training events for farmers in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP).::To highlight that there have only been five dates announced and as the training requirement of the scheme must be completed by 15th November more training events are required.::To highlight suckler farmers' concerns regarding the locations and times of the training events. The Minister must be cognisant of the areas where the greatest needs are and all farmers must be provided with a number of options within close proximity to their location.
Details: Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP)
Officials: Aodhan O'Riordain, Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher, Brian Leddin, Ciaran Mullooly, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Denis O'Donovan, ...
Methods: Email, Informal communication