GLAS payments

Final 15% balancing payments under GLAS commenced last week. IFA rural development chair Joe Brady has called on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to ensure that all 49,000 farmers in the scheme are paid without any delay. He said, given the difficulties due to the recent fodder crisis, cashflow is at a critical level on many farms; problem cases must be resolved by the Department and no farmer should be denied payment.

Wool prices

With the wool season about to commence, national sheep chair Sean Dennehy has said wool prices need to rise significantly to cover the costs and work associated with shearing. Some wool merchants have said that they are prepared to offer up to 60c/kg to get volumes of wool, while most are trying to offer 50c/kg to 55 c/kg.

Rights of way

IFA hill chair Flor McCarthy has welcomed the decision by the Court of Appeal to reject a claim that a public right of way existed over a landowner’s property in Co Wicklow. This is an important decision that protects the rights of landowners and confirms that access to land can only be given by the landowner, unless a public right of way already exists.

Going to Bloom?

IFA members can get a discount on tickets to the Bloom Garden Festival in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. The event runs from 31 May to 4 June and if you book online at bloominthepark.com and use the discount code IFA18 you’ll get €2 off ticket prices. It’s a great family day out and kids go free.