GLAS payments

IFA rural development chair Joe Brady has insisted to Minister Michael Creed that all farmers due a GLAS payment can have that payment made if he is prepared to pay on the measures cleared prior to the resolution of issues relating to any other measures. In many outstanding cases, a substantial part of the plan is approved, bar some technical issues; the minister can and should allow the payment to proceed on such cases.

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Aquaculture licensing

IFA president Joe Healy has welcomed the publication of the report of the independent aquaculture licence review committee. The IFA has been campaigning for a fairer and faster licensing system for over 10 years and the report is a significant and serious blueprint for the survival and development of a key food sector in the rural economy. The recommendations of the report must now be implemented as soon as possible.

Labour costs

Dairy farmers’ labour costs are to be included in the analysis of the Teagasc 2016 Profit Monitor and National Farm Survey for the first time following a campaign by the IFA.

IFA dairy chair Sean O’Leary said this is important when it comes to giving a full and true picture of the economics of farming and strengthening farmers’ hands when they make the case for getting fair value for their produce.