The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 18 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details IFA 70th AGM

Intended results To invite the new EU Commissioner for Agriculture to address the IFA 70th AGM. To invite the Minister for Agriculture and the Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the IFA 70th AGM To highlight the importance of the next CAP and how it will work for Irish farming. In particular, a level of funding that recognises the cost pressures farmers face in producing quality food to the highest standards. The CAP Budget has been redirected to supporting environmental ambition rather than production, which must stop. To highlight that the EU needs to have a separate environment fund with new money to deliver climate ambition. To stress that Pillar II of the next Common Agricultural Policy cannot be based on cost incurred, income foregone. It must leave a return for the farmer. To highlight that in the current CAP, GAEC 2 is going to cause problems. The potential impact for the thousands of farmers in this country working on peat soils could be significant. • To stress that the Mercosur Trade Deal is a huge problem Irish beef and poultry sectors who will be severely hit. To stress that on Access to markets - the transportation of live animals from this country operates to the highest welfare standards. • the retention of the Nitrates Derogation is essential for the grass-based system that is unique to Ireland. Irish farmers are committed to improving water quality. To emphasise that the retention of the Nitrates Derogation is essential for the grass-based system that is unique to Ireland. Irish farmers are committed to improving water quality.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Informal communication (6-10)

Event / Reception (1)

Social Media (2-5)

Email (2-5)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Amii McKeever Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Aodhan O'Riordain MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cassidy Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Declan O'Rourke Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Martin Heydon Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Pippa Hackett Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)