Appeals review

Four months on from the report of the Agriculture Appeals Act Review Committee, we have yet to see any signs of movement on the recommendations. IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy has said Minister Creed must ensure the committee’s recommendations are implemented as soon as possible, and that a three-month time period be put in place for appeals to be dealt with. In cases where this timeline is not met, the appeal must be accepted.

GLAS on Commonages

Hill chair Flor McCarthy led a delegation to meet Department of Agriculture officials this week to break the logjam that has developed where a substantial number of GLAS commonage farmers still remain to be paid their final 15% instalment for 2017. IFA told the Department that the issues are not the fault of the farmers involved and Minister Creed must ensure all commonage farmers are paid without further delay.

Milk market recovery

The time for milk price cuts is over and co-ops must plan for improved prices from June milk onwards, dairy chair Tom Phelan has insisted, citing higher EU returns and the latest Ornua PPI. He said IFA has been highlighting just how much improvement has occurred in the average EU market prices for the Irish product mix. Since January, returns have increased by nearly 5c/l – more than half of the decrease of late 2017.

IFA is hiring

The IFA is seeking to recruit an executive assistant for its European Affairs Brussels office. If you have good insight into the operation of the EU Institutions in Brussels, particularly in the agriculture sector, and you would like the opportunity to work in an active lobbying organisation, operating at the highest levels on behalf of farmers, you can get full detail of the job and how to apply at www.ifa.ie/careers.