Growth in agricultural activity driving increased ammonia emissions in Ireland in 2021 – EPA
Ireland’s ammonia emissions increased by 1% in 2021 as the impact of higher livestock numbers and fertiliser use outpaced the impact of emission reduction measures currently being implemented at farm level Ireland is non-compliant with our EU Emissions Reduction commitment in 2021 for Ammonia. Compliance with the 2030 Reduction Commitment is only possible with full […]
IFA Issue Road Safety Appeal for Silage Season
With the silage cutting season underway, the IFA is appealing to drivers of farming machinery and other road users to share the road safely. IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Alice Doyle said it’s going to be a busy time on farms as farm contractors bring in silage. “We are renewing our […]
Retail Price Wars a Real Threat to Farmers
IFA Dairy Chair Stephen Arthur said there is only one loser when supermarkets engage in price wars and that is the farmer. The latest announcement of a reduction in the retail price of butter follows a cut in the retail price of milk announced last weekend. “We have seen supermarkets use dairy products as loss […]
Interim Ash Die-Back Scheme Does Not Acknowledge the Financial Cost to Farmers
IFA Farm Forestry Chair Jason Fleming said the lack of recognition in the interim ash dieback scheme for the significant financial loss incurred by farmers is a serious blow to those whose ash woodlands have been devastated by this disease. “The increased clearance and grant rates announced under the interim scheme are positive developments […]
Decision to Include All ACRES Applicants the Correct Call – IFA
IFA President Tim Cullinan said the inclusion of all applicants for ACRES was the best outcome for those wishing to participate in an agri-environment scheme. “The Dept has made the right decision here. It would have sent a very negative signal if farmers had expressed an interest in the scheme and then found themselves locked […]
Expansion of Walks Scheme a Boost for Rural Tourism – IFA
IFA National Hill Farming Committee Chairman Caillin Conneely has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys to develop 70 new trails on the Walks Scheme. Once completed, these 70 new trails will bring the total number included in the scheme to 150, in line with the commitment set […]
Shortages of Fruit and Vegetables the Result of a Broken Food Chain
Martin Flynn, Vice Charman of the IFA Field Vegetable and Protected Crops Committee, said that current shortages of many horticulture food crops are a direct result of soaring input costs and of the imbalance of power in the food supply chain. “This week marks one year on from the invasion of Ukraine. There is still […]
Ministers announce opening of the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) under TAMS
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced the opening of applications for solar panels under new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). TAMS provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for five years with a budget of €370 million. In order to encourage the purchase of solar […]
Review Needed of Terms of Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS)
The terms attached to the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) need to be reviewed, according to IFA Farm Business Chair Rose Mary McDonagh. Ms McDonagh said “as part of Budget 2023, TBESS was introduced to support businesses in dealing with increases in their energy costs between last September and next month, in comparison […]
Delays in Approval for Plantings Put Forestry Targets in Jeopardy
IFA Farm Forestry Chair Jason Fleming has said the delay in getting State Aid approval for the new Forestry Programme 2023 to 2027 means this year’s targets are unlikely to be met. “We’re off to a bad start. The delay is going to have a huge impact on the afforestation programme in 2023, and […]
