IFA President Joe Healy said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar must strongly support the tough stance taken by the French President Emmanuel Macron on Mercosur.  Mr Macron insisted that the negotiations would be discussed at the EU Summit last night and he has warned against rushing into a deal with the South American countries, including Brazil, which would damage EU agriculture and especially the beef sector. Joe Healy said, “The [...]  Read More...

ICOS President Martin Keane has today reacted to the announcement of Budget 2018. Mr Keane stated “ICOS is extremely disappointed by the failure of the Department of Finance to include an income stabilisation measure in this year’s budget”. “Since 2016, ICOS  (Irish Co-operative Organisation Society) has developed a strategic, income stabilisation tool whereby a farmer can enter into a voluntary agreement with their co-operative to [...]  Read More...

Good news for agri sector however more could have been doneThe Minister for Agriculture has helped to kick-start the solar development project by introducing a relieving measure for land used in the direction of solar panels however farmers and fishermen miss out on Brexit Loan Scheme.Up to now, land used in solar development would not have been regarded as agriculture.  However, as and from 1st January 2018 [...]  Read More...

Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marc Mac Sharry has said that the Government must get ahead of a potential fodder crisis in the New Year, and start engaging with farmers now to ensure that there is enough feed for the remainder of the winter.Deputy Mac Sharry was commenting after a number of farmers got in touch with him to say they are very worried about fodder stocks for the winter in light of the terrible weather experienced in [...]  Read More...

IFA Environment Chairman Thomas Cooney, has called on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Local Government to review their plans to introduce an inspection regime for farmers who need to manage manures over the winter. He said, “Farmers, particularly in the north-west, have had to endure very difficult farming conditions and continue to act responsibly by not spreading manures at this time. "This must not now lead [...]  Read More...