Mary Sweeney

Intent: To invite local Councillors to an IFA Public meeting to discuss IFA's position on the Bord Bia Chair and why his double standards have caused huge farmer anger on the ground.

Details: IFA Laois/Offaly Public Meeting - Bord Bia

Intent: To ask for an emergency Board meeting of the Bord Bia Board of Directores to be convened to discuss the issue of the Chair of Bord Bia's company Dawn Farm Foods importing Brazilian Beef.::To demonstrate extreme concern about this issue and the impact it will have on the credibility of Bord Bia with farmers.::To question whether the importation of Brazilian beef by the Chair's company is compatible with his role as Chair of Bord Bia.::That, as outlined in various items of correspondence 20th January, 30th January, 6th February, 7th February to the board, a lot of other concerning issues have emerged since the last board meeting. These also need to be considered at the meeting along with other emerging issues including the fact that the Chairman's company is not part of the relevant Quality Assurance Scheme and that this was incorrect on the Food drink Ireland website curated by Bord Bia.::To welcome the announcement that there will be a full governance probe of Bord Bia which will exami

Details: Bord Bia Board

Intent: Make public representatives aware of the work of Laois Chamber Alliance

Details: Presented to Laois County Council the programme and plans for Laois Chamber Alliance for 2025

Intent: To voice farmers' anger and frustration at the ever-increasing administrative burden being placed on them which has had a major impact on farm family incomes.::The following are some of the key issues that are contributing to growing frustration and anger with the political system::1. The transformation of CAP away from supporting food production towards actually reducing farm output. CAP funding is being redirected to environmental schemes – the EU is effectively implementing new environmental regulations such as the “eco-schemes” on the cheap by redirecting existing funding instead of allocating additional funds.::2. The failure of the EU to properly compensate farmers under CAP. In 2014, Ireland received €1.16bn in Pillar one funding from EU – that figure is effectively the same today, 10 years on, despite huge inflation in farmers' cost of production in the interim. Farmers are being asked to do much more to receive a lot less funds in real terms.::3. The proposed Mercusor trade de

Details: Laois County Council - 'Enough is Enough' Campaign

Intent: To highlight that, although IFA is fully aware of the current housing challenges and the rationale underpinning the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), as it is currently designed it represents nothing more than a 'land-grab' exercise. Many honest hardworking farm families will be forced to sell intergenerationally held farm land given that this penal tax (even at 3%) far exceeds the economic yield potential from farms.::To stress that Irish farm families are private land owners who utilise the land for food production. The have not caused or influenced the current housing crisis. They are not building speculators or developers hoarding land from residential development, and so should not be exposed to this 'land hoarding tax'.::To highlight that IFA question whether there is a political will to change the legislation, or enough opposition challenge, to protect farm families.::To point out that the precedent is there in terms of the Vacant Site Levy to provide an exemption for farmed la

Details: Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)

Intent: Ensuring that the phase-out of fur farming in Ireland is fair and reasonable for the farms involved

Details: Animal Health & Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021

Intent: making councillors aware that we are submitting an application

Details: Submitting our land to the county development plan for zoning

Intent: Putting in place of appropriate Government policies to manage Bord na Móna's transition to a low carbon business.

Details: Matters relating to the harvesting of peat, enhanced rehabilitation of cutaway peat lands and the just transition for the Midlands.

Intent: Welcome new residents.

Details: Official opening of Borris Meadows, Borris Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Intent: Protection of employment in Irish fur farming sector

Details: Prohibition of Fur Farming Bill