Brendan Smith

To provide a breakdown of the value of agriculture county by county

That this IFA commissioned report would highlight the need for support from Government for the suckler cow. The key finds in the report are as follows::The beef sector in Ireland is very significant, accounting for over one-third of all agricultural output and over 20% of total…

Address the issue of income volatility in farming

Inform the participants about the Beef Plan Group and its objectives

To stabilise numbers and improve beef farm incomes,::A targeted payment of €200/suckler cow, structured under environmental and animal welfare measures in the CAP Rural Development Programme and financed predominately from national resources and savings from existing RDP…

Seeking an increase in the EU Budget from 1% to 1.2% of GNI (Gross National Income) to provide for an increase in the CAP Budget::CAP 2020 must increase farm incomes and close the gap with other sectors in society::This is to reflect the recovery and growth in the European…

To ensure compliance with welfare legislation and phasing out routine tail-docking.::Tail docking of pigs - To assist in Ireland becoming compliant with Animal welfare legislation::EU Banning of Zinc as a feed supplement for pigs - to maintain the use of zinc as a feed…

Support amendment in Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 that would see inclusion of white list of countries to which Irish Greyhounds can be exported.

Remove restrictions on planting productive marginal land::Reintroduce farmer forest premium payment differential::Compensate farmers appropriately for all land they are obliged to set aside for environmental enhancement::Reduce red tape in the forest Road Scheme::Providing…

That the 7,050 farmers in ANCs in North Leinster must be full protected::That these farmers retain the full value of their existing payment of €13.3m::That the funding for ANCs be restored to their pre-2009 level from the current allocation of €205m to €250m::That payment rates…

Agri-Environment Schemes - GLAS - that funding of €250m is allocated for agri-environment schemes in Budget 2017, with full payments for all GLAS, AEOS and oranic scheme participants::Areas of Natural Constraints - that funding is increased by €25m in Budget 2017, to €225m, This…

Indication of support for ban on wild animal circuses

Enhancement of Farm Schemes:::- TAMS on-farm investment support scheme - immediate approval for all farmers who have applied for tranches 1 & 2::- Payments in July for those farmers who have completed works under the part approvals issued earlier in the year::- Beef Data and…

That Ireland gets EU approval to pay 70% advance on the Basic Payment Scheme to help cashflow on farms::That all payments must be made on time in line with deadlines set down in the Charter of Farmers' Rights

To prevent any further diminution of competition in the purchase of cattle and sheep