Holly Cairns

• The recommendations in the Agricultural Appeals Office review must be implemented and an Independent Chairman, with farmer representation appointed.

• The Government must press the EU Commission to conduct a full Union Interest Test and explore options to provide redress for farmers.::• The Government must call on the EU Commission to terminate the AD measures on ammonium nitrate in the upcoming expiry review and suspend the…

• A further 100 permits for dairy farm assistants, and 500 horticulture worker permits are required for 2020, as well as a review of the needs of both sectors thereafter to avoid the stop/start of the last two years.::• The pig and poultry sectors require a quota of 100 permits…

• In the means test for Farm Assist, the depreciation rate for farm equipment and machinery should be increased to a standard rate of 10% to more accurately reflect the useful life of these assets.::• The income disregards for agri-environmental schemes, included in the means…

• Meaningful incentives and reliefs are necessary to encourage farmers to purchase side by sides (two persons) or gators (covered) which are inherently safer than ATV/ Quads.::• A Farm Safety Scheme with increased funding for health and safety equipment is required under…

• The new Government must immediately reintroduce the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2019, and provide for the inclusion of farm land leased to third parties, in line with other Government policy on inheritance under Agricultural Relief44.::• Older people must be…

• The lead agency for the development of all recreational routes must be the Department of Rural and Community Affairs and not two Government Departments as currently exists.::• The Walks Scheme must be extended by a further 40 walks, to bring the total to 120, worth €6m to…

• The Local Link evening service must be rolled out to operate 12 months of the year in each local authority area.::• Services such a ridesharing, grocery delivery and taxi transportation network s must be introduced in rural areas, similar to the Uber model.

• The CPO goodwill payment must be fully reinstated to €5,000 per acre to restore equity and fairness for the landowners impacted by the re-commencement of the national roads development programme.

• Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funding must be fully restored to pre-2008 levels::• Each local authority must publish LIS expenditure on a quarterly basis each year and also set out their LIS awareness campaign to maximise uptake.::• Government departments must work with local…

• Where farmers incur yield and income losses through compliance with regulations in the provision of water to local communities, local authorities must work with Irish Water and provide compensation for these restrictions e.g. exclusion zones.::• The duplication of water…

• Ongoing funding be made available for the maintenance of our river systems.::• Farmers adjacent to the River Shannon continue to experience flooding problems and the focus must be on river maintenance and dealing with the various pinch points which restrict water flow.::• The…

• The NPF must acknowledge the importance of farming and vibrant rural communities and recognise the need for rural housing for farmers and their family members who have an intrinsic link with the rural community.::• The NPF must support the development of farm-scale and…

Keeping a Viable Market Operational::• Swift action is required at Government and EU Commission level in order to support the beef sector, beef markets and beef farmers in order to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and protect the beef supply chain.::• A priority must…

• Greater Garda Visibility More patrolling and an increase in Garda vehicles on the roads.::• Roads Policing Tackling and preventing criminals on the roads. Re-establishment of the Community CCTV Scheme in rural areas and the resolution of the ongoing Data Controller/ GDPR…