Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024
Specific Details
National Liming Programme
Intended results
To call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine for a further extension to the permitted spreading deadline in the National Liming Programme.
To highlight that, while the extension provided to 31 March and later to 28 June 2024 must be acknowledged, the persistent wet weather for much of the period, coupled with very heavy grass cover, has significantly diminished many farmers opportunities to spread lime. The land is simply too wet in many parts.
To point out that IFA is getting reports from suppliers, particularly in the West of the country, that although increasing, only 20-30% of prepaid lime has actually been delivered and spread to date. This is concerning.
To highlight that many farmers, particularly those with red clover swards, will be looking to get multiple silage crops this year to rebuild fodder reserves given the long and extended housing period last year.
Fearing forced repayment of monies received, particularly in the high-cost year that has been, there exists a danger that some may apply lime onto silage ground between harvest to comply with scheme requirements. This, as I am sure you are aware, would have significant consequences on the resultant silage.
To emphasise that farmers need additional time to make full use of the benefits of scheme, and be able to better plan for the weeks and months ahead, particularly during this very busy time of year.
To highlight that the extension would also prove resource efficient from a Department perspective, saving having to claw back monies at a later date if not dealt with immediately.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, John Curran IFA Rural Development Chair
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.
Informal communication (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)
Charlie McConalogue
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Barry Andrews
MEP (European Parliament)
Billy Kelleher
MEP (European Parliament)
Chris MacManus
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciarán Cuffe
MEP (European Parliament)
Colm Markey
MEP (European Parliament)
Clare Daly
MEP (European Parliament)
Deirdre Clune
MEP (European Parliament)
Frances Fitzgerald
MEP (European Parliament)
Grace O'Sullivan
MEP (European Parliament)
Luke Ming Flanagan
MEP (European Parliament)
Maria Walsh
MEP (European Parliament)
Mick Wallace
MEP (European Parliament)
Seán Kelly
MEP (European Parliament)