Greenways

Environment chair Thomas Cooney has described Kerry County Council’s (KCC) decision to plough ahead with the development of the proposed South Kerry greenway as ‘‘the potential death knell for this important project’’. Funding for local authorities is based on the appointment of agronomists to minimise the effect of severance on landowners, as well as developing the support and goodwill of landowners and local communities. KCC is in breach of these funding criteria.

Low-cost loan required

IFA president Joe Healy has acknowledged the confirmation by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed that flexibilities under GLAS are another important element identified in IFA’s drought action plan. The IFA president again called on Minister Creed to introduce immediately the low-cost loans which were promised in last October’s budget, adding that these loans must be available for working capital.

Ploughing Championships

If you’re heading to the National Ploughing Championships next week, make sure to drop by the IFA stand. You can meet IFA president Joe Healy and senior IFA officers. Representatives will be available to discuss your issues and concerns and get information on the IFA’s key campaigns. The stand is located at block 2, row 12 stand 262.

Livestock support

IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said livestock farmers are under immense income pressure from falling cattle prices, increased costs, severe weather conditions all year and the erosion of direct payments. He said the income crisis in the livestock sector must be urgently addressed by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and he cannot allow Budget 2019 to pass without delivering on the IFA proposal for the introduction of a €200 targeted payment for suckler cows.