Simon Harris

Discussion and support for expanding education and specialist training opportunities in the Irish veterinary sector

That the Irish government would stop allowing the removal of 500m of hedgerow annually on every farm even though the Common Agriculture Policy regulation requires retention of landscape features

To highlight that the Silage Support Scheme is an important first step for the drystock sector, which is under significant pressure to build up feed stocks for next winter.::To seek that the Minister brings forward targeted measures for dairy farmers as some are tied into fixed…

To ensure that an appropriate firm is hired to oversee the agri-environment on the East coast of the country.::To highlight that this scheme has nothing in common with the original Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS), which the Government is trying to align it to.::To…

To seek a solution to the ash dieback situation in the county.::To seek the introduction of a financial support package for farmers and landowners to manage ash trees that have been infected by ash dieback in hedgerows and along public roads.::To enable farmers and landowners to…

To highlight where TB is at in Wicklow county and to push for a programme to resolve this situation.::To ensure that a fair funding model is developed for the TB programme::To ensure that farmers do not bear any additional TB costs as a result of the new pre/post movement…

To invite Minister McConalogue to attend Farm Safety Event in Donegal on 20th July.::To Invite Minister of State Martin Heydon to attend Farm Safety event in Wicklow on 15th July.

- Availability of key inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and feed. There is an urgent need to provide an inventory of fertiliser and fuel supplies followed by a full appraisal of available and projected feed supplies for the remainder of the year and next winter.::All land must be…

Increase awareness of the difficulties that the delays in issuing felling licences is causing our industry and to seek support for the recommendations contained in the Draft Agricultural Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020

To highlight that the horticulture sector is under immense pressure from labour shortages; Covid-19 disruptions; peat shortages; the sustainability agenda; the lack of pricing power; and sharply increasing input costs.::It is recommended that a number of policy options need to…

To influence change in policies for Farm & Forestry Contractors in Agricultural Policy

Increase awareness of the difficulties that the delays in issuing felling licences is causing our industry and to seek support for the recommendations contained in the Draft Agricultural Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020

To highlight that the new CAP funding and strategic plans are a sell-out of suckler and beef farmers by the Minister for Agriculture.::To highlight that the design of the strategic plans and the funding levels allocated to Pillar II targeted schemes compound the impact of…

To highlight that the CAP Strategic Plan will exclude one million ewes from any funding.::That the proposed €20m/annum Sheep Improvement Scheme with payments of €12/ewe will only be available to 1.7m ewes. This is even fewer than the number of ewes in the current Sheep Welfare…

That the Tillage Sector is facing a 3rd successive blow from CAP Plans • Convergence, CRISS and Eco Schemes threaten viability of the sector.::That the decision to use 10% of funds for CRISS is the 3rd successive blow to commercial tillage farmers, following the earlier…