The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Forestry Licence System

Intended results To secure changes for a more farmer friendly forestry licence system that does not discriminate against small forest owners. A system that ensures a farmer has to wait no longer than 4 months for a forestry licence as set out in the Forestry Act 2014 Section 18(1), irrespective of the application size. A review the current AA screening process, associated rules and thresholds. In particular, the 15 km radius ‘likely zone of impact' employed by the Department for screening for forestry licences must be re-assessed and the radius employed tailored to the size and nature of the application. Introduce a cost-based planning support grant for forest owners to assist with increased costs and requirements associated with applying for a felling and afforestation licence, including the submission of a Natura Impact Statement, as reference in the Mackinnon report. Amend the Forestry Act 2014 to introduce new exemptions for activities, such as forest road construction and thinning operations, that do not present a significant landscape change and present a low risk from an environmental perspective.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Vincent Nally IFA Farm Forestry Chairman, Geraldine O'Sullivan, IFA Farm Forestry Executive, Nicholas Sweetman Wexford IFA Farm Forestry, Richard Scally Offaly IFA Co Chair, Murt Connor Offaly IFA Farm Forestry Rep

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.

Meeting (2-5)

Email (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.

Verona Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Howlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Kehoe Minister of State (Department of Defence)

Malcolm Byrne Senator (Seanad)

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

Mairead McGuinness MEP (European Parliament)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

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