The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details IFA 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Intended results To invite An Taoiseach to address the AGM To invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine to address the AGM To invite Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine to the AGM Livestock - to highlight that the livestock and suckler sector requires targeted, strong and meaningful support both in terms of direct payments and maximizing potential of the market place. the new CAP and associated targets must not erode the value of payments or reduce the productive capacity and efficiency of suckler and beef farmers. That the government delivers on a targeted payment of €300 per suckler cow. That the Government will commit to working at EU level to stop beef coming into the EU market from areas that do not meet the same environmental, animal health, animal welfare, traceability and social production standards as EU farmers. That all necessary steps are taken by the Government to maintain and build on Ireland's beef shelf space in the UK market. That the Government will take all necessary steps to reopen the Chinese market for Irish beef. Sheep - That the Government would support the provision of targeted funding of €30 per ewe for sheep farmers to underpin the long-term viability and sustainability of this sector. New "REPs" Scheme - that the Minister clarifies when details of the new Agri Environment scheme will be available and how many farmers will be allowed participate in the new scheme in 2021. Grain - that the Minister ensures that the administration of the proposed eco schemes in the next CAP will not involve cuts to individual farmers. It cannot be another form of convergence. Potato - that the Minister would set out his plans to increase investment in the Irish Seed Potato sector in order to address the shortfall in seed availability as growers cannot import seed potatoes from the Uk as a result of Brexit. Horticulture - to establish what the Minister is doing to ensure that Irish producers can access sufficient quantities of local peat for the horticulture sector. Animal Health -the new EU Veterinary medicine regulations coming into effect in 2022 bring with them substantive changes for farmers in sourcing veterinary medicines. It is essential that suitably qualified persons in our licensed stores and veterinary pharmacies are facilitated in issuing prescriptions for specific products. The Minister must provide for this is advance of the regulations coming into effect. Agri Tax Reliefs - to ensure that no age limit will be introduced on consanguinity relief. Cost of credit - the future growth loan scheme is crucial to ensuring farmers can make the necessary investments in their businesses. Can funding under the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme be transferred to the future loan scheme. Aquaculture - to establish the timeline and commitment from the Minister in implementing all recommendations of the Independent Aquaculture Licensing Review. To establish if further consideration has been given to the inclusion of fisheries and aquaculture in the forthcoming Marine Planning Development Management Bill. Organics - to establish when the organic farming scheme will be reopened and if rejected applicants from the last reopening who continue to farm organically will be prioritised. To get an update on the progress of the Organic Strategy Implementation Group. Pigs - to establish what cross border discussions have taken place on a single all island statutory protocol to cover plant, animal and human bio security. Poultry - to establish when the increase in investment limited for targeted agricultural modernisation scheme (TAMs) pigs and poultry scheme (PPS). Dairy - to ensure that there will not be changes to the Nitrates action Plan and associated derogation that would jeopardise the future sustainability of Irish dairy farms and rural communities who depend on them. To get an update on the €5m Dairy Beef Scheme when will it be launched and what will the terms and conditions of the scheme be. National Food Ombudsman/Retail Regulation - to establish when will the food ombudsman be appointed and if the authority will have powers to go beyond the EU directive on unfair EU practices. Farm Forestry - to establish a timeframe for when there will be a functioning forestry licensing system that can deliver for farmers a licence within the months set out in the forestry act to restore farmer confidence. Fair Deal Scheme - to get assurance that the Fair Deal legislation which is on the Spring Legislative Program will be prioritised. Environment - that the Minister commits to a full economic assessment of the impact of the EU's Farm to Fork and Bio Diversity strategies on the agricultural sector and that Teagasc would carry out this as a matter of urgency. Renewables - that the planning process would be streamlined and appropriate to scale so that more farmers and small scale projects can achieve planning. Agricultural Appeals - that the Minister commits to implement the Agricultural Appeals Office and to engage with IFA on the detail of the changes that will be implemented. To get assurance fron the Taoiseach that any additional environmental asks of farmers under the reform of the CAP will be matched with additional money. To get assurance from the Taoiseach that as part of the implementation of the Climate policy the Government will not prevent growth in the agricultural sector. To get a commitment from the Taoiseach that vulnerable sectors such ad beef producers will be supported from the €1.05bn EU Brexit Reserve Fund for Ireland and of exchequer from the Government contingency fund. To seek a commitment from the Taoiseach that a farming specialist would be included on the Commission on taxation and welfare. Brexit - to establish what the Government is doing to ensure that the landbridge remains as a viable option in getting chilled food products into the continental EU market. To establish what current initiatives to diversify our exports and reduce our dependence on the UK market given our potential vulnerability to future UK trade deals. To get the Minister to set out the economic options for live calf exports and the possibility of using air transport from Shannon airport. To establish if the Government would grant aid this air route being trialed by Teagasc. Farm Safety - to establish what the Government is doing to increase labor availability to the sector. With labor shortage increasing as an issue on farms, this is causing significant stress on the farmer as he has to work longer. Seeking a reduction in the minimal spend in TAMs, which is currently €2000 as this is acting as an obstacle to many farmers getting smaller grants to undertake much needed investment in safety on their farms.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan 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? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Informal communication (6-10)

Phone call (2-5)

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Social Media (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.

Deirdre Gillane Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Patrick Donohoe Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Micheál Martin An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

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

Diarmuid Lynch Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

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

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

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

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