ANC payments

IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy has criticised the decision by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to hold back 15% of the 2019 ANC payments.

This will result in over €35m not getting to farmers until December. “Normally, 100% payment is made in September. However, the minister has decided to pay only 85% next month and hold the remaining 15% until 1 December. He could pay 100% to farmers and resolve any issues with the European Commission afterwards,” Kennedy said.

Smart Farming farm talk

Speaking at the Smart Farming farm talk last week, IFA president Joe Healy outlined the measures that farmers are taking to address climate change. He highlighted an appetite in the sector to do more, provided leadership and support comes from Government and the EU.

The Smart Farming farm talk, held on the farm of Eamon Sheehan in Co Kilkenny, was attended by almost 300 farmers.

He said: “We are playing our part, and are willing to do more. However, it is galling to Irish farmers to see food imported into the EU from Brazil, which is wilfully decimating the Amazon rainforest to make way for intensively produced, untraceable beef. This cannot continue.”