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 CAP Consultative Committee

Intended results CONVERGENCE - That the EU Commission position be supported to increase the payments per hectare for genuine farmers with payments below the national average. However, it must not be funded by further reducing farmers per hectare payments. IFA also proposes that a full sectoral impact analysis of the convergence proposals be conducted. CAP reform 2021-2027 must not create more unviable farmers. CAPPING PAYMENTS - That the EU Commission position be supported to increase the payments per hectare for genuine farmers with payments below the national average. However, it must not be funded by further reducing farmers per hectare payments. IFA also proposes that a full sectoral impact analysis of the convergence proposals be conducted. CAP reform 2021-2027 must not create more unviable farmers. GENUINE FARMER - The genuine farmer concept be fully explored in the context of the need to target payments towards active farmers. There are a number of options that could be explored including minimum economic output and minimum stocking density. A fundamental issue to be evaluated in the context of defining the genuine farmer, is the practice of farmers leasing out their entitlements, having exited farming. Options including the formation of an Entitlements Exchange Scheme should be explored CRISS - IFA would not support a linear cut to payments to provide funding for the scheme because we believe it would lead to creation of more unviable farmers. A full impact assessment needs to be carried out on the CRISS model in the context of Ireland to determine the impact on farmer viability. PAYMENT FOR SMALL FARMERS - In order to provide an informed view on the small farmers scheme, we would require a detailed financial analysis of the likely redistribution of funds this scheme would necessitate. Our concern continues to be the requirement for additional linear cuts which would further damage the viability of farmers That €30/ewe payment must be the target. That the Minister must find a way of protecting active farmers & that a full sectoral impact analysis of the convergence proposals be conducted. On GAEC 2 proposals, any provisions relating to protection of peatlands and wetlands are sensible and practical and do not restrict good agricultural practices. GAEC 2 cannot lead to the imposition of new requirements for farmers.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Brian Rushe IFA Deputy President , Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy/Chief Economist , Denis Griffin IFA Policy Executive , Sean Dennehy IFA National Sheep Chair, Liam MacHale IFA Director - Brussels.

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.

Letter (2-5)

Meeting (2-5)

Phone call (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.

Paul Savage Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

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

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food 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)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey 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)