Michael Lowry

The HSI Economic Industry Forum concentrated its efforts into creating a suitable funding model for Horse Sport Ireland by applying for additional funding from the government.

That a resolution would be found to the operational issues around the delayed export of cattle to Algeria

CONVERGENCE - IFA supports the EU Commission's objective of increasing the payments per hectare for genuine farmers with payments below the national average. This must be funded through an increase in the CAP budget and/ or from the implementation of the EU genuine farmer…

• Increased funding from €4bn to €5bn for the RDP 2021- 2027 to support farm schemes.::• Targeted sectoral support for sucklers (€300 per cow), sheep (€30 per ewe) and tillage in a per hectare payment.::• Whole farm environmental schemes, similar to REPS, with a payment of…

• The new CAP must continue to support POs for all sectors.::• The costs, rules, regulations and administrative burden, including reporting and inspections of POs, must be simplified to encourage uptake.::• Additional funding is required to support establishme• Additional…

• Existing legislation must be amended to exempt finished products where the THC content is equal to or less than 0.3%. This would eliminate the grey area concerning the production and sale of CBD products.::• Registered growers must be permitted to sell flower to approved…

Independent Food Retail Regulator - • As provided for in the EU Directive, the Government must immediately create an Independent Food Retail Regulator to tackle the imbalance in the food chain.::• The Regulator's remit must be extended to tackle other UTPs in food chain…

Cattle Prices • An immediate increase in cattle prices to reflect higher market returns • Delivery of real and tangible results for farmers from the Beef Task Force. • Contract prices from factories and retailers.• Removal of any specifications not required in the market•…

• A targeted direct payment of €30 per ewe for sheep farmers, from a combination of CAP and national funding. This would include a roll-over and increase in the Sheep Welfare Scheme to €15 per ewe and CAP Pillar II funding.::• The option of targeted coupled payments and…

• Nitrates The current nitrates derogation must be retained. The Government needs to promote and reward farmers who use organic manure in place of chemical fertilisers in the next nitrates review with the EU. • EPA The Government must direct the EPA to refrain from seeking…

• Greater flexibility is required in farm schemes so that tillage farmers can qualify for higher grant rate payments, particularly in relation to TAMS and GLAS. • Measures must be introduced to address the issue of quality assured Irish grain being undermined by imported…

• Annual funding of €10m for the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is critical to the expansion of the sector and to meet the demand for investment, evidenced by the oversubscription of the scheme in previous years.::• The…

• The 8% forest premium cut taken from forest owners in 2009 must be reinstated, and the farmer premium differential be reintroduced.::• The forestry portfolio must be the responsibility of the senior Minister for Agriculture in order to demonstrate the Government's commitment…

• Irish Equine Centre - The Government must provide increased support for the Irish Equine Centre to allow for the centre's upgrading.::• 30-Day Foal Notification - Since January 2019, breeders are required to notify Weatherbys Ireland within 30 days of the birth of a foal born…

• Farmers are entitled to full compensation on all designated land while those designations apply.::• Funding for the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme must be increased from the current level of €1m to €10m annually.::• The scheme must apply in all designated areas with payments related to…