Simon Harris

To accept an invitation from the Taoiseach to attend the National Day of Commemoration on 14th July 2024

To emphasise the importance of the Irish MEPs being part of the national effort to retain the current nitrates derogation. Ireland has a unique grass-based system and there must be recognition for this from the EU.::To highlight that over 30 measures have been introduced at farm…

To emphasise that the Government needs to address the cost of doing business in Ireland for farmers and others. ::To highlight that it is understandable that people are raising concerns about increasing food prices. This is inevitable when costs and regulations on the farmers…

To propose adequate targeted knowledge transfer and advisory support must be in place to support farmers in their efforts to improve on-farm efficiency and sustainability.::To propose that farmers must receive the maximum possible payment from participation in mandatory KT…

To propose the establishment of a 5-year Tillage Survival Scheme with an annual payment of €250/ha for commercial tillage farmers must be introduced by autumn 2024 at the latest.::To propose that any payment per hectare under any tillage support scheme must not be capped for…

To propose that a payment of €400/ha should be made on land converted into tillage in year one, followed by a maintenance payment of €250/ha in year two. Land entered into any such scheme must remain in tillage for a 5-year period.

To propose that funding for the Organic Farm Scheme should be increased to incentivise and further develop the land area under organic production.::To propose that the participation payment should be maintained.::To propose that an additional payment should be made on the first…

To propose the establishment of a national disease culling team for poultry to be fully funded.::To propose adequate Disease Compensation. The current compensation scheme for farmers affected by disease outbreaks only partially compensates farmers of certain stock.::To propose a…

To propose the inclusion of grant aid for slurry processing equipment under the PPIS at 60%.::To propose that additional items under tams should be included to improve biosecurity and animal welfare.::To propose grant aid for slurry storage for all farmers at a rate of 70% from…

To propose that Government considers funding mechanisms made available by the European Commission to assist Irish aquaculture operators affected by significant production losses coupled with increasing input costs.::To propose that a ‘Temporary Crisis Scheme' to allow for…

To propose that full consideration to be given to IFA's proposal that 15% of all prize money from equestrian events and racing to be allocated to breeders.::To propose that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) takes control of administering a complete Horse…

To propose the implementation of a higher payment rate for farmers beyond the standard own-work rate of the Walks Scheme. This increased compensation reflects the additional challenges and ensures that farmers are adequately rewarded for their essential role in maintaining these…

To propose that an appropriate compensation scheme, funded independently of CAP, is required to ensure farmers currently affected by designation are adequately compensated for the farming restrictions placed on them and to account for loss of earnings and land…

To propose that a sustainable budget of €389m must be provided for the LEADER Programme 2023-2027 to drive ‘bottom up, community-led' investment to create and sustain employment in rural Ireland, provide funding in the rural environment and support climate change mitigation…

To ensure that the availability of reduced-cost finance, such as SBCI lending, is continued. It must be ensured that such funding is available to all farmers to enable them to make their businesses more sustainable from both an environmental and/or a financial perspective.::To…