Climate targets

IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney has called on Commissioner Phil Hogan to directly intervene in the EU discussions taking place on ammonia and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

He said it is essential that past mistakes are not repeated, and Ireland’s 2030 targets must be deliverable.

Pig forum

A forum for the pig sector, similar to the structures in place for the dairy and beef sectors should be convened immediately, pigs committee chair Pat O’Flaherty has said. This forum should comprise producers, processors, millers, banks and other players in the industry to address current issues in the sector.

IFA election count

The next IFA president will be announced at the IFA election national count on 19 April. Members in 947 branches voted over the last number of weeks and the results in the election for president, deputy president and Munster chair will be known following the count on Tuesday. Follow the count at www.ifa.ie or on Twitter – @IFAMedia.

Cattle prices

The beef price situation has turned with supplies tightening rapidly and factories increasing prices to get numbers, livestock chair Henry Burns has said. He said carcase weight is proving much less an issue with most factories now doing deals with no weight limit cuts. Download the IFA’s iFarm app – www.ifa.ie/ifarm.

Forestry

IFA forestry chair Michael Fleming has voiced concern about falling afforestation figures, following the publication of the latest Forest Service report which shows area established down 30%. He said issues preventing farmers from planting must be addressed if the downward trend is to be reversed and afforestation targets achieved.