Brendan Smith

Speed up Forestry Licence issues and inform Public Representatives of issues

To maintain the Nitrates Derogation.::To seek a meeting with the Minister to discuss IFA's proposals with regards to the ongoing Nitrate Action Plan Review.::To highlight grave concerns about a number of the proposals contained in the Nitrates Action Plan (NAP), much of which…

That the Minister immediately outlines details of his proposed Eco-schemes for Irish farmers and let them know what is going to be asked of them in the next CAP.::To seek that the impact of Eco-Schemes on farmers' basis payment is minimised.::To seek that Member States with a…

That the Minister for Agriculture robustly defends the EU Council position on 75% internal convergence.::• In the context of the potential additional flattening effect of eco-schemes, it is vital that the Minister for Agriculture ensures that the European Council position of…

That the Government must confirm its commitment to maximise national co-financing of CAP Pillar 2 schemes::• In 2020, the national exchequer contributed over €280m in funding to co-finance Pillar 2 CAP schemes. These included Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), Green Low-Carbon…

That the Government must honour its €1.5bn Carbon Tax / REPS-2 commitment in their Programme for Government (PFG).::• The 2020 Programme for Government (PFG) gave a commitment to provide €1.5bn in funding to a “REPS-2” agrienvironmental scheme over the 2021-2030 period. The PFG…

That the Minister for Agriculture and the EU must ensure sensible design and pragmatic implementation of Good Agricultural Environmental Conditions (GAECs)/cross-compliance::• Proposals for the next CAP programme include revised definitions of GAECs. GAECs, commonly known as…

Appropriate Genuine Farmer definition with phasing out of long-term leasing of entitlements::• The next CAP programme will include a requirement for all member states to have a genuine farmer definition. This definition must ensure CAP payments are made to farmers who are…

To alleviate labour shortages in the horticulture sector.::To highlight the issue of carbon leakage by importing peat from other countries::To call on the Minister to introduce measures to ensure the resumption of the harvesting of horticultural peat immediately.::To call on the…

To acknowledge, Farm Assist recipients during the period of 1999-2007 recently discovered that they were not entitled to a full State Contributory pension.::The reason given was that temporary/permanent Farm Assist recipients during 1999-2007 did not make PRSI contributions nor…

To invite Minister McConalogue to address the IFA National Council on the CAP Reform Agreement.::To seek an income assessment on the proposed Pillar 1 CAP reform measures::To seek a committment from the Minister that convergence will not go higher than 85% during this next…

To highlight that Minister McConalogue must clarify his intentions on the draft suckler scheme for 2023-2027, which is now out for public consultation as part of the new CAP Strategic Plan.::To highlight that while farmers will understand the concept of a reference year, any…

To highlight that the consultation process by the Department of Agriculture on the next CAP provides no opportunity for genuine consultation.::To highlight that the so-called ‘Town Hall' meetings didn't allow farmers ‘to have their voices heard' as the Minister promised. Only…

Meeting to discuss issues surrounding Bovine TB Herd History Risk Statement and Report Letters::Requirements in the TB Programme -::1) Re-establishment of an effective Wildlife Control Programme based on density reduction of susceptible species.::2) A full in-depth…

Concerns around Department of Agriculture's 'objection' process around Bord Bia's application for PGI status for 'Irish grass-fed beef'::Proper engagement with farmers who are key stakeholders in this process.::Crucial that the application has broad support amongst farmers.::It…