The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 May, 2018

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 Jan, 2018 to 30 Apr, 2018

Specific Details EU Citizens' Dialogue - Making CAP 2020 Work For Farmers

Intended results Seeking an increase in the EU Budget from 1% to 1.2% of GNI (Gross National Income) to provide for an increase in the CAP Budget CAP 2020 must increase farm incomes and close the gap with other sectors in society This is to reflect the recovery and growth in the European economy, to take account of inflation and the increased requirements on farmers Any shortfall from Brexit must be made up in full by Member States Any new EU measures (migration, defence) must involve new funding and cannot impact on the CAP Budget The CAP must reflect the higher standards and costs in Europe & protect the family farm structure from unsustainable world prices, eg, grain and beef To highlight that IFA is opposed to any proposals on external convergence between countries that would involve a reduction in the national envelope for Ireland With the increased emphasis on the environment & climate change, CAP 2020 must continue to support the multi-functional role of agriculture in producing food, fuel and energy, and Ireland’s sustainable model of food production Farm Income & Direct Payments : Direct payments are critical to farm incomes, ranging from 38% on dairy farms to 115% on cattle rearing farms (Teagasc NFS) Importance of strong CAP Pillar I (Direct Payments) & Pillar II (RDP) structure, including national co-financing for the RDP Targeted payments for vulnerable sectors, including sucklers & sheep Direct payments must go to active farmers based on objective criteria (agricultural production and provision of public goods) Importance of well-funded market management/support mechanisms for sectors subject to price volatility Direct payments cannot be diluted by charges and fees Rural Development - Agri-environment scheme, with potential to draw down up to €10,000 Higher payments for farmers with designated lands where restrictions apply ANCs must be adequately resourced, with full restoration of funding. 2019 Review must ensure all areas are protected and payment rates reflect the natural constraint Strong farm investment programme across all sectors to drive efficiency and competitiveness Young farmers and generational renewal - Young farmers and new entrants must be encouraged and supported - National Reserve and Young Farmer Top Up must be a key element of CAP 2020 CAP must assist farmers who wish to retire. National taxation and social protection policy must support generational renewal Simplification - The political commitment to deliver real simplification at farm level is essential and must be implemented in CAP 2020. The complexity and negative impact of the ‘greening’ requirements on the tillage sector must be avoided The proposed new delivery model and subsidiarity must simplify & reduce the burden of the cross compliance and inspection regime at farm level Introduce a close-out approach, which would allow farmers rectify non-compliance issues without penalty All inspections should be limited to 1%, with 14 days advance notice and no duplication by State agencies

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joe Healy - IFA President

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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? To lobby Oireachtas Members for an Increased Member State Contribution for the CAP 2020-2027

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Letter All TDs

Letter All Senators

Email All MEPs

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Meeting (6-10)

Phone call (6-10)

Letter (1)

Event / Reception (1)

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.

Bobby Aylward TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Declan Breathnach TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Breen Minister of State (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)

James Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Buckley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Thomas Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Canney TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciarán Cannon Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Joe Carey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Casey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Shane Cassells TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael D'Arcy Senator (Seanad)

Pat Deering TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Andrew Doyle Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Damien English Minister of State (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Noel Grealish TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Harty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Danny Healy-Rae TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Healy-Rae TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Heydon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kyne Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Michael Lowry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marc MacSharry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Helen McEntee Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Mattie McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe McHugh Minister of State (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)

Tony McLoughlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eugene Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Denis Naughten Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Hildegarde Naughton TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tom Neville TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie O'Dea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kevin O'Keeffe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Fiona O'Loughlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Frank O'Rourke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie Penrose TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Thomas Pringle TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Scanlon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niamh Smyth TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Stanley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paddy Burke Senator (Seanad)

Colm Burke Senator (Seanad)

Maria Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Paudie Coffey Senator (Seanad)

Martin Conway Senator (Seanad)

Mark Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Frank Feighan Senator (Seanad)

Robbie Gallagher Senator (Seanad)

Maura Hopkins Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn Senator (Seanad)

Kieran O'Donnell Senator (Seanad)

John O'Mahony Senator (Seanad)

Joe O'Reilly Senator (Seanad)

Brendan Gleeson Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Mairead McGuinness MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Michael Creed Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

David Fitzgerald Councillor (Kilkenny County Council)

Seanie Power Councillor (Waterford City and County Council)