Lakeland-LacPatrick merger

IFA president Joe Healy has welcomed the announcement by Lakeland and LacPatrick that their boards had agreed merger terms, to be put to their respective shareholders for a vote on 23 October. “The merger proposal being recommended to shareholders by both co-op boards must put the merged entity in the best possible position to optimise dairy processing and pay a strong price to farmers. This is critical in the context of Brexit, as both co-ops have farmer members and processing facilities both sides of the border.”

Labour market

The IFA has welcomed the Government report that has indicated that where there are shortcomings in data used to identify skills or labour shortages in a sector, Solas would engage with the relevant Government department. “As we approach full employment, Irish agriculture, especially our labour-intensive and/or expanding sectors such as dairy, horticulture and pigs, have a genuine need of additional labour from outside the European Economic Area.’’

ANC payments

On ANCs, the IFA has clearly told Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed that none of the 95,000 farmers currently in receipt of ANC payments can lose out in the review.

The increased allocation must be distributed across the board, with higher payments going to farmers with the most marginal land. The review is expected to be completed in 2019 and the IFA will maintain its campaign in the coming months to secure the best outcome for farmers.

Tyre collection

The next collection dates for tyres are Saturday 13 October at Athenry Mart, Co Galway, and Saturday 20 October at Gortdrum Mines, Monard, Co Tipperary. Given the huge support for the recycling of tyres, IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney said Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten should announce the nationwide rollout of the service to ensure this waste stream is removed off farms and recycled sustainably.