Joe Flaherty

Importance of Horse Racing to the Irish economy & local communities

Support for the continuation of ACA programmes in ACRES and Organics and a new programme for Nitrates and Agri Environment Specialists to assist with the vast private sector client base. Also, ACA submitted their views on other EU and National farm programmes.

To highlight that a River Basin Management Plan for Ireland published this week shows the amount of work that is ongoing nationally and at farm level within the agricultural sector to improve water quality.::To highlight that the breadth of new measures and actions that have…

To highlight that difficult weather conditions, high input prices and declining output prices have driven farm incomes to unsustainable levels. Recent surveys show that the average farm income in Ireland is below €20,000, the lowest level in over a decade. Targeted measures are…

That the Nitrates Derogation must be retained. There are approximately 7,000 farms in derogation across all farming enterprises in Ireland. While the derogation will have a major direct impact on their incomes, the unseen consequences of losing the derogation in rural Ireland…

To propose that the suckler herd in Ireland which is a key national resource that must be protected through meaningful direct supports.::That all trade deals, most particularly Mercosur, that provide increased access to our key EU market for beef must be rejected.::That…

To propose that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) support a breeder focused incentive scheme for thoroughbred and sport horses through Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) respectively to support Irish grassroots equine…

That the targeted support for suckler cows must be built to a minimum of €300/cow to provide economic viability and long-term sustainability of the sector through generational renewal, maintain its positive contribution to our climate target ambitions and drive of the socio…

That a multiannual scheme for farmers is needed, with a payment of €100 per calf for the rearing phase of these animals.

That Government must return the Wildlife Control Programme primarily to a density reduction programme to reduce the prevalence of TB and provide the resources to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the programme in TB areas.

That long-standing agreements in relation to payment for TB testing must be fully honoured. This includes the legislatively required pre/post movement 30-day test requirement.

To propose that the seed potato sector receives continued financial support to encourage increased production.::That a temporary derogation must be put in place to allow seed potato to come from the U.K. until our domestic market for seed production is re-established.

To propose that the funding and long term political support to develop and expand this structure must be provided.

That a marker vaccine for TB must be developed and its recognition in trade laws and health certificates to ensure trade continues to be facilitated.

To propose that Government should commit to providing the funding for the remaining testing requirements of the BVD programme.