Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024
Specific Details
Agri-Environment Schemes - IFA Manifesto for European Parliament Elections 2024
Intended results
To highlight that Irish farmers are fully committed to improving sustainability of their farming enterprises, contributing to the enhancement of the environment along with maintaining the economic vibrancy and amenity value of the countryside and rural Ireland. this is demonstrated by the phenomenal demand among farmers for the new Agri0Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).
To propose that all farmers engaged in the Agri-climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) must be paid without delay. There must be full transparency and a comprehensive breakdown of payments provided; alongside opportunity for farmers, through applications for Non-Productive Investments and Landscape Actions, to fully recoup available funds as soon as possible, with same, paid in advance, to avoid further financial burdens on farmers following delayed/no payments in 2023.
That maximum flexibility must be afforded, and no penalty applied, to farmers who, because of supply constraints nationally and/or weather challenges, are unable to fulfil contracted scheme requirements – e.g. native hedging; trees, fencing etc.
That all farmers (including young farmers and new entrants post 2022) interested in an agri-environmental scheme must be accommodated. Farmers cannot be left without an agri-environmental scheme for the remaining term of the existing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programme.
That, unless to the advantage of the farmer, individual terms/ qualifications must hold true for at least the term of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programme. There can be no downward revision or pro-rata reduction in either payment or maximum eligible area within individual measures of future iterations of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy and Chief Economist, 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
Mass communications
Submission All Senators
Letter All Senators
Submission All TDs
Letter All TDs
Submission All MEPs
Letter All MEPs
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (6-10)
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.
Darragh O'Brien
Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
James Browne
Minister of State (Department of Justice)
Joe O'Brien
Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)
Michael McGrath
Minister (Department of Finance)
Micheál Martin
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Roderic O'Gorman
Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)
Malcolm Noonan
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)