Cathal Crowe

To highlight that the budget of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine is reduced from €2.14bn to €1.94bn, a 10% reduction. This is a long way short of what is required to bolster a sector which is struggling with high input costs, lower commodity prices and…

To challenge the Department who promised that ACRES payments would commence end-November. It's included in the Farmers Charter of Rights document which was issued last week. It is not acceptable to announce now that payments will be delayed until February 2024, at a time when…

Delivery of key asks

Progress on succession scheme for young farmers Highlight challenges facing young farmers nationally and in County Clare

To highlight the growing concern among farmers regarding the potential health and safety risk posed by infected ash trees to road users, but also for themselves as the felling of infected trees is very challenging and poses significant safety risks.::To emphasise that a support…

To highlight how the New Ash Dieback Scheme must compensate for loss of timber asset.::To require a 100% reconstitution grant for all infected plantations, enabling forest owners to clearfell and replant with tree species that satisfy their management objectives.::To propose…

To get emergency funding from the Brexit reserve for the sheep sector for 23-24 and to get an increased payment under the sheep improvement scheme and a payment for wool management under the longer term

To highlight how successive Government policies have restricted eligible land, eroded productive area, increased the regulatory burden and have made farmers wary of committing their land. The risks associated with planting have become too great.::To emphasise that the Government…

To ensure that dribble bars are included in the next tranche Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS)::To discuss the timing of the closure of the TAMS first tranche::To acknowledge that cattle underpasses, farm roadways and fencing are now eligible for grant-aid.

IFA needs assurances from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine that the establishment of the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund and the scale of investor planting will not negatively impact on the future sustainability of communities, in particular the economic and social…

To demonstrate that the Teagasc assessment of incomes on sheep farms show margins dropping 81% to €7/ewe, which includes the €10/ewe Sheep Welfare Scheme payment in 2022. This is unsustainable, sheep farming is a low income vulnerable sector that does not have the capacity to…

To highlight the following issues with the Bill::- In the Bill, there remains a distinct lack of reference to the price that primary producers get paid by dominant food buyers in the food chain.::- The reality is the 5 mains retailers and 3 main food service providers operating…

To highlight that pig farmers are currently experiencing immense pressure. That the previous week there was a 4c/kg drop in the pig price paid to farmers, leaving the average pig price back to just over €2.00/kg.::To highlight that pig farmers acknowledge the support from…

To seek targeted support of €30/ewe to ensure the economic viability of the sector.::To highlight that store lamb finishers are a vital outlet for hill sheep farmers and play a key role in our production supply systems, direct supports are critical to maintain this outlet for…

To highlight the role of Women in Agriculture, women in farming and to discuss the challenges and opportunities::To highlight the importance of extending 10 year Ownership and Usage Period for Capital Gains Tax Retirement Relief to Spouse for Lifetime Transfers.::To discuss…