The farm organisations and other representative bodies continue to lobby Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and Government bodies on behalf of paying members. Activities are disclosed on the register of lobbying.

Among the unusual, Richard White, chair of the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors, emailed Minister Creed asking that he accept the Moscha swivel slurry spreading device as a low-emission slurry spreading system. It’s not clear how the minister replied.

Larry Goodman’s ABP and advisers, Heneghan PR, met influential TD Pat Deering to update him on work at its research farm at Tullow, Co Carlow.

The farm is also the first here to contract-finish cattle for ABP under its Blade Farming system. It has gained traction in Scotland but could prove a harder sell to Irish farmers. Deering, of course, is chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.

Bizarrely, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions disclosed that it was lobbied in March – by the Department of Agriculture. It said it “listened to the case” made by assistant secretary Sinéad McPhillips on employment of “low-paid workers” from non-EEA countries by meat factories and the horticulture sector. The Congress noted that the Department afterwards said that the details were financially sensitive – meaning they had to stay secret.

Veterinary chains

Veterinary Ireland chief executive Finbarr Murphy and president Gerry Neary swung into lobbying action after the Veterinary Council relaxed rules on who can own a practice, opening the door to foreign veterinary chains. The two men lobbied Minister Creed, as well as TDs Michael Fitzmaurice, Willie Penrose and Pat Deering, by email and letter, aiming to persuade Creed to suspend the new rules. As usual, the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA and the other farm bodies lobbied Department officials, the minister and other politicians on a wide range of important issues affecting farm incomes.

The biggest effort made by IFA president Joe Healy was lobbying Oireachtas members asking them to fight for an increase in the CAP budget, which would allow an increase in farm payments. This lobbying was carried out via meetings, phone call, emails, social media and a lobby day.

Brexit, the fodder crisis and farm safety were among the other topics for lobbying.