Aindrias Moynihan

Forestry policy and programmes

Amend / Speed up Forestry licencing issues

The improvement of Forestry policy and programmes to maintain jobs, keep wood processing companies in business and help with the environmental challenges the country is facing.

CONVERGENCE - IFA supports the EU Commission's objective of increasing the payments per hectare for genuine farmers with payments below the national average. This must be funded through an increase in the CAP budget and/ or from the implementation of the EU genuine farmer…

• Increased funding from €4bn to €5bn for the RDP 2021- 2027 to support farm schemes.::• Targeted sectoral support for sucklers (€300 per cow), sheep (€30 per ewe) and tillage in a per hectare payment.::• Whole farm environmental schemes, similar to REPS, with a payment of…

• Existing legislation must be amended to exempt finished products where the THC content is equal to or less than 0.3%. This would eliminate the grey area concerning the production and sale of CBD products.::• Registered growers must be permitted to sell flower to approved…

Independent Food Retail Regulator - • As provided for in the EU Directive, the Government must immediately create an Independent Food Retail Regulator to tackle the imbalance in the food chain.::• The Regulator's remit must be extended to tackle other UTPs in food chain…

Cattle Prices • An immediate increase in cattle prices to reflect higher market returns • Delivery of real and tangible results for farmers from the Beef Task Force. • Contract prices from factories and retailers.• Removal of any specifications not required in the market•…

• A targeted direct payment of €30 per ewe for sheep farmers, from a combination of CAP and national funding. This would include a roll-over and increase in the Sheep Welfare Scheme to €15 per ewe and CAP Pillar II funding.::• The option of targeted coupled payments and…

• Retention of the nitrates derogation is essential to allow the industry to realise its natural advantage.::• Farmers engaging with climate mitigation measures must be supported to offset their cost.::• Government must ensure fair and proportional environmental measures in the…

• Nitrates The current nitrates derogation must be retained. The Government needs to promote and reward farmers who use organic manure in place of chemical fertilisers in the next nitrates review with the EU. • EPA The Government must direct the EPA to refrain from seeking…

TB Eradication & 30-Day Pre/Post Movement Test - • The EU delegated regulation proposing a 30-day pre/ post-movement test for TB for all animals from herds that are over six months tested must be amended to facilitate trade without pre-movement testing from all herds within 12…

• Greater flexibility is required in farm schemes so that tillage farmers can qualify for higher grant rate payments, particularly in relation to TAMS and GLAS. • Measures must be introduced to address the issue of quality assured Irish grain being undermined by imported…

• Annual funding of €10m for the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is critical to the expansion of the sector and to meet the demand for investment, evidenced by the oversubscription of the scheme in previous years.::• The…

• The 8% forest premium cut taken from forest owners in 2009 must be reinstated, and the farmer premium differential be reintroduced.::• The forestry portfolio must be the responsibility of the senior Minister for Agriculture in order to demonstrate the Government's commitment…