Milk price

Farmers need their co-op leaders focused on holding prices and paying justified top-ups on 2017 supplies, dairy chair Tom Phelan has said. Rather than seeking to publicly condition farmers for 2018 milk price cuts, co-ops’ spokespeople should display their enthusiasm in explaining how they would support farmers when it becomes necessary, he said. As the IFA has shown, co-ops have done well in 2017 and have had ample opportunity to rebuild their balance sheets.

TAMS underspend

Rural development chair Joe Brady has said Minister Michael Creed must tackle unacceptable underspends in his Department on schemes such as TAMS. Out of €50m allocated in 2017, only €30m was spent on TAMS and many of the delays are related to the bureaucracy surrounding the scheme. The IFA has also called for an increase in standard costings, and the inclusion of additional items for grant aid including investments required under the Nitrates Regulation.

IFA support

If you’re having difficulties with your payments, you can contact the IFA payments team who will offer advice and support, or progress your issue with the Department of Agriculture if required. Contact 1890 924 853 or payments@ifa.ie. The IFA also operates a confidential credit advice line which can help farmers who are experiencing financial difficulties. Contact 1890 924 853.

New chairs elected

A number of IFA committees have recently elected new chairs. Tom Phelan from Laois is the new national dairy chair; Pat Farrell from Kildare takes over as animal health chair; Mark Browne from Wexford is grain chair; Flor McCarthy from Kerry is hill chair; Thomas McKeown from Meath is the new potato chair; and Sean Dennehy from Cork is the new sheep chair. Find out more about the chairs and their priorities at www.ifa.ie.