Politician · TD · 34th Dáil
Returns filed on the Register of Lobbying, newest first, with the policy area and intended results as the lobbyist published them.
• 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…
• Organic Farm Scheme The Government must immediately re-open the scheme and secure increased and continued funding under the new CAP. Opening the scheme for longer periods will improve sectoral balance and reduce imports.::• The scheme must provide an increased payment for 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…
Aquaculture Licencing • The Government must set out an implementation plan that prioritises and gives clear timelines for each recommendation in the licensing review.::• The Department of Agriculture must put in place a service level agreement with the Aquaculture Licence…
• 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…
• The Government must introduce in 2020 a pilot programme of gorse burning under supervision in the month of March and hedge cutting of roadside hedges in August, as provided for under the Heritage Act 2018.
Farm Finance • The Future Growth Loan Scheme must be continued with the provision of additional funding to meet demand. • All banks should maximise the drawdown of European Investment Bank funding to make available low-cost finance to farmers.::Stamp Duty - • Agricultural…
• The Government must negotiate a new Charter in the context of CAP post 2020.::• The new Charter must review all schemes to ensure timely payments to farmers within the deadlines set down.::• Farm inspections must not hold up payments.::• Further development of a yellow-card…
• 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…