Martin Heydon

Awareness of the importance of investment in education & training facilities for our industry

Awareness of the importance of developing an education & training campus

Awareness of importance of Horse Racing to the Irish economy & people

Importance of Horse Racing to the Irish economy & local communities

Outline the position of ICOS and its members in relation to TB eradication and control measures and their impact on farmers and our members.

Secure fair compensation that reflects true stock values by raising caps to €5,000 (commercial) and €7,000 (pedigree), backdated to February. Strengthen supplementary supports like the Hardship Grant and Income Supplement so farmers are not left carrying heavy financial losses…

Outline the position of ICOS and its members with respect to the future of the Ireland's Nitrates Derogation and compliance with the Habitats Directive.

Increase the Beef Welfare Scheme payment to €300 per cow/calf pair and raise the ceiling on eligible animals. Ensure supports reflect the realities of full-time suckler farming, provide a sustainable income boost, encourage scheme participation, and safeguard the future of the…

Protect family farms and rural communities from EU CAP cuts and loss of supports for older farmers. Budget 2026 proposals include €300/suckler cow-calf pair, higher sheep and beef payments, Tillage Innovation and Nitrates Efficiency Payments, and a National Succession Fund.…

Balance emissions reductions with farm viability, recognize farm carbon sequestration, protect food security, provide practical tools, and ensure climate policies support rather than penalise farmers.

Urgent clarity and official confirmation of GAEC 2 rules from the Department. Establish a functioning appeals process for land classification. Guarantee GAEC 2 data is used solely for CAP conditionality, not other environmental measures. If clarity cannot be provided in time,…

Ensuring understanding of the importance of the Nitrates Derogation to Ireland's grass-based production system and the potential financial impacts of the loss to individual farm families.

Enhance Policy Inclusivity: Ensure that agricultural policies reflect the needs and contributions of women in the sector. Increase Female Participation: Encourage more women to take active roles in agricultural organisations and decision-making bodies. Promote Gender Equality:…

Advocate for government policies and resources supporting farmers’ mental health, raise awareness of rural challenges, influence legislation and funding on succession, isolation, and financial stress, and promote long-term, accessible mental health services and community support…

To urge relevant authorities to examine the implications of the deal and take measures to protect Irish sheep farmers from market disruption, ensuring a fair and sustainable sheepmeat market.