Farm safety tip

Did you know that all farmers are required by law to have an up-to-date risk assessment, or a safety statement if they have more than three employees? The risk assessment should be revised annually or whenever there has been a significant change in the facilities or work practices on the farm. A risk assessment isn’t just a paper document – take a few minutes to do a mental risk assessment before each job. Download the document at www.ifa.ie/farm-safety

Forestry review

Forestry chair Pat Collins has said Minister Andrew Doyle must take the opportunity of the mid-term review of the Forestry Programme to increase the grant and premium rates for GPC 1 so that payments are consistent with the other afforestation grant and premiums, which reflect the cost of establishment and the agricultural income foregone by planting. To achieve our afforestation targets, farmers must be appropriately supported to manage forests on all eligible land.

Fodder shortage

Connacht chair Padraic Joyce said farmers in the region are facing a difficult winter because of wet weather and fodder shortages. The IFA will hold a major rally in Claremorris, Co Mayo on Friday 1 December to call attention to the issue and is making a strong case for an aid package, including additional ANC funds for those farmers in difficulty. The minister needs to take action to avert serious problems on farms.

GLAS update

IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy has reminded farmers in GLAS I and II who have not yet submitted their nutrient management plans to do so immediately, as they cannot be paid their final 15% for 2016 until the plan is submitted, and their 2017 payment will also be held up. In relation to commonage plans, farmers should continue to send in their plans, even though the deadline has now passed.