Renewable energy grants

The latest tranche of TAMS is now accepting applications. It will be open until early July and includes supports for on-farm renewable energy measures. Full details of the TAMS II measures are available on the Department’s website: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/tams/

The TAMS division can be contacted by phone on 0761-064 452.

An Taisce

The IFA has called for the Green Schools teacher resource pack promoting veganism, produced by An Taisce, to be withdrawn immediately. It also questions the appropriateness of An Taisce’s involvement in the Green Schools programme. IFA president Joe Healy said: “Farmers are extremely angry that packs like this would be distributed in schools advising students to consume less meat and dairy when both are an important part of a balanced diet.”

UFU meeting

IFA president Joe Healy discussed the latest developments in Brexit at the Ulster Farmers’ Union AGM in Enniskillen, which was also attended by the other UK farming unions, last week. He said a no-deal Brexit is of huge concern to farmers, both in Ireland and in the UK.

“The IFA, along with the UFU, the NFU, NFU Scotland and NFU Wales are united in our view that a no-deal scenario would be disastrous for all of us; for farmers on the island of Ireland, and in the UK.”

Beef meeting

Laois IFA is holding a crisis beef and livestock meeting in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, on Monday 15 April at 8.30pm. The focus of the meeting is to highlight the crisis the sector is currently experiencing from very poor cattle factory returns, a stalemate on Brexit and a proposed reduced CAP budget and currency fluctuation.