The Government must move now to make all genuinely farmed land exempt for the Residential Zoned Land Tax, according to IFA Farm Business Chair Rose Mary McDonagh. The call comes following media reports over the weekend that there’s a realisation changes are needed to this tax. “It is encouraging to see that the Government are […]
IFA Will Not Attend Tomorrow’s Farmers’ Charter Talks
THE Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) will not attend the Farmers’ Charter negotiations with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine which are scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). IFA President Tim Cullinan said IFA will not be attending any further negotiations until they meet with Minister Charlie McConalogue to discuss the proposed delay in farm payment dates […]
New regulations on dog control have to be backed up with enforcement
IFA Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey said the stronger regulations on dog controls that will go before Cabinet today will go some way to address the growing problem of dog attacks on livestock. “IFA had looked for a centralised database, larger fines and more dog wardens to enforce stricter controls. The authorities have been slow to […]
Consignment of Fertiliser Delivered from the North to Galway
As part of IFA’s campaign on fertiliser prices, IFA Connacht Regional Chair Pat Murphy has sourced fertiliser from the North for farmers in Galway. It was distributed on Friday morning. “We are now at the point of the year where all farmers need fertiliser. It will be spread in the next few weeks, both for […]
IFA President hits out Agriculture Minister over delayed farm payments
IFA President Tim Cullinan said the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue cannot stand idly by while his officials railroad through changes which will mean up to a month’s delay in some farm payments. The Department met with IFA and others last week to negotiate a new Farmers’ Charter, including payment dates. They proposed to significantly […]
Potato farmers issue stark warning of sector struggles
A SENIOR IFA official in Donegal says a potato shortage and job losses could be on the way unless there is urgent intervention to help the farming sector. Farmers met in Dublin recently to discuss ways to keep the industry afloat. But with land rental, fertiliser, fuel and storage costs at an all-time high, fears are mounting that many potato […]
Settling into new role as Donegal IFA chair
DONEGAL’S new IFA Chair, Joe Sweeney from Dunfanaghy is set to travel to Bluebell, Dublin, this week for his first National Council Meeting. Farming from an early age, Joe attended Ballyhaise Agricultural College after secondary school before going on to study farm management for three years. Newly qualified as a farm manager, Joe managed a […]
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 […]
Milk price cuts wipe out premium for liquid milk producers
The price cuts of between 5cpl and 7cpl announced by milk processors last week have effectively eliminated the liquid milk premium paid to liquid milk producers according to IFA Liquid Milk Chairman Keith O’Boyle. Input costs for dairy farmers producing fresh milk through the winter months remain at an all-time high as there is a […]
Global fertiliser price reductions must be passed on to farmers
IFA President Tim Cullinan says that Merchants and Co-ops must pass on the significant reductions in global fertiliser prices to farmers. “We have seen a sustained significant drop in the price of natural gas of up on 85% since September 2022. The spike in natural gas prices was referenced as the main driver of increased […]