Income figures

Reacting to Teagasc’s Outlook predictions for a challenging 2018, IFA president Joe Healy stressed the importance of direct payments and said the report findings underline the importance of an improved EU budget in the context of the upcoming CAP reform. He said the figures further support the IFA case for a substantial additional payment for suckler cows.

Forestry area increase

Forestry chair Pat Collins has welcomed changes to biodiversity area, calculated under the Afforestation Scheme, which will increase the payment area, while maintaining environmental safeguards. The IFA has been campaigning that farmers must be paid a forest premium on all land they are required to set aside for environmental protection and enhancement.

Campaign against dog attacks

Stronger action is required to address the problem of marauding dog attacks on sheep flocks, John Lynskey sheep chair has said. He called on the Department of Agriculture to launch a major publicity campaign on responsible ownership. The IFA has an easy-to-follow protocol to help farmers who encounter a dog attack on their sheep flock. Find it at www.ifa.ie/sheep.

Veterinary medicines

In meetings with MEPs in Brussels last week, IFA animal health chair Bert Stewart outlined concerns farmers have with EU proposals for the regulation of veterinary medicinal products. He said it is incumbent on the Minister for Agriculture and our MEPs to recognise the role of farmers in the health and welfare of their animals and to ensure they are not hindered by increased costs and bureaucracy.