The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022

Specific Details Hill Farming and Upland Management

Intended results To highlight that economic and social activity is absolutely critical to the ongoing management of our hills, and grazing by cattle and sheep is essential to ensure this is maintained. To highlight that in areas where farmers are already struggling, any suggestion of reducing livestock in hill areas would have a serious impact on the livelihoods of farmers and lead to further economic and social decline in these areas To highlight that while maintaining habitats on our uplands is important, destocking on hills or reduction of stocking numbers on hills is not a sustainable option. Sheep numbers have fallen by nearly 60% in the last 30 years which has led to undergrazing on many hills. To highlight that if the Government is serious about the environment, then adequate funding is needed to support hill farmers. An average payment of €7,400 with an upper ceiling of €10,500 is simply not enough. To highlight the importance of an extension in the current controlled burning period under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976(amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act 2000) of one month. Extending the window in which burning is allowed by one month would result in better vegetative mgmt, help farmers keep land eligible for various CAP schemes & reduce the risk of wildfires as seen in Killarney National park last year.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Caillín Conneely IFA Hill Chairperson

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 (1)

Letter (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.

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)

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)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus 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)

Malcolm Noonan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)