Michael Fitzmaurice

To highlight that the eradication of TB within the shortest feasible timeframes must be the objective. Farmers have had to endure the burden of TB controls, associated costs and income loss for too long. However, achieving this must not be based on the simplistic approach of…

To acknowledge the decision of the Supreme Court to give the green light to the Glanbia cheese plant.::To highlight that the Glanbia project was designed as a response to the challenge arising from Brexit and the need for our dairy sector to diversify its products and seek new…

To call on the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to commit to every farmer getting an environment scheme payment for 2023.::To highlight that the higher payment rates proposed for the new Agri-Environment and Climate Measure (AECM) scheme in the CAP Strategic Plan…

To highlight that it's now clear that across the horticulture, poultry and pigs sectors, retailers are using food as a loss leader. In recent weeks Lidl has even used organic produce as a loss leader.::To highlight to retailers that farmers in these sectors are united and…

To welcome the confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the IFA AGM that 60% grant aid will be available to all farmers in 2022 for rooftop solar.::To highlight that the confirmation of 60% grant aid under TAMS will make solar installations more…

To highlight that the intervention by a group of international scientists, published in The Lancet medical journal, questioning data used to analyse the health impacts of red meat, is very significant.::To highlight that what was published in The Lancet raises serious concerns…

To acknowledge that progress has been made in relation to the new EU Veterinary Medicines Regulations, there is more to do to ensure farmers have fair and competitive access to the necessary products to treat their animals when required.::To highlight that it is vital for…

To highlight that the recent attacks on elderly people in rural communities were very concerning.::To highlight that IFA will be meeting An Garda Síochana to discuss what measures can be taken to make communities safer and to develop community policing that gives a greater…

To seek that the proposed amendment to the legislation to remove the afforestation licence is extended to permit farmers to plant both native and conifer trees, with the threshold increased beyond 1 hectare.::To highlight that For farmers to re-engage with forestry as a viable…

To highlight that there has been no discussion with farmers regarding media reports that farmers may be required to grow crops in 2022.::To highlight that The biggest issue facing farmers is the rocketing cost and availability of inputs. This is where the Government needs to…

To highlight that there must be a complete re-think as regards the objectives of the group and that food security must now be top of the agenda.::To highlight that the whole landscape has now changed with the war in Ukraine and the risks this poses to food security.::To…

To highlight that the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue must move immediately to resolve the BEAM scheme issues for farmers.::To highlight that it's a clear failure of the BEAM scheme and its administration that 11,000 farmers have, or will have, €18m clawed back from…

To highlight that the amenity sector is an important indigenous sector worth €77 million at farm gate of which nursery stocks account for over €50m.::To highlight that there are many challenges facing the industry at present such as peat availability, spiralling input costs,…

To highlight that farmers will play their part in any national effort to bolster the country's capacity to produce more food.::To highlight that there must be a focus on growing more grass for silage as well as more crops. The key issue here is to tackle input costs particularly…

That the Government addresses the Food Security risk and takes action by carrying out inventories on fertiliser, fuel and feed stocks.