Sheep and Brexit

The IFA met the NFU and AHDB in the UK last week for a discussion on sheep issues, including how the tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on sheepmeat will be dealt with in Brexit. IFA sheep chair John Lynskey said Irish and European sheep farmers cannot be disadvantaged and New Zealand must be allocated on a historical trading basis between the UK and the EU.

Pensions

IFA farm family chair Maura Canning is calling on all farmers to join the push for pension equality for women. She said it is unacceptable that women are discriminated against for taking time out from paid work to care for children and family members and called on the Government to honour its commitments in the National Strategy for Women, and to assess how pension policy affects women.

Ploughing

Going to the Ploughing next week? Make sure to visit the IFA at block two, row 12, stand 280. You can meet IFA president Joe Healy and your representatives, find out about the services and benefits available to you as an IFA member, get farm safety tips and advice, find out how you can save €5,000 through Smart Farming and, of course, enjoy some tea and biscuits.

Renewables

IFA renewables chair James Murphy has welcomed the recent publication by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten of a consultation paper for a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The IFA will meet Minister Naughten in the coming weeks and impress upon him the importance of ensuring that community-centred proposals are developed into national law.