The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Jan, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2022 to 31 Dec, 2022

Specific Details Food Vision Sub-Groups 2030

Intended results To highlight the farmers perspective on delivering and implementing Food Vision. To highlight the significant concerns that IFA have on the proposed level of nitrogen reduction in the Dairy Report. IFA views that the proposed reduction of 27-30%as too high - a reduction of this level has the potential to have a major impact on farm inclomes and fodder production. IFA is concerned that there are little or no specifics on what funding the State is prepared to provide in support of the proposed measures. To highlight how a number of measures in the Beef and Dairy Reports could significantly impair Irish farmers ability to produce food, taking into account how the Russian invasion of the Ukraine has put much more emphasis on food security. The IFA is concerned that the Department has now agreed to an interim review of the Nitrates Programme in 2023 with the EU Commission. This may result in the maximum organic nitrogen levels under derogation reducing from 250kg N per hectare to 200kg as now set out in Irish Statue Law. the concession on the 200kg limit was not included in any proposals outline by the Department as part of the public consultation process and was not discussed with IFA before the Government signed up to it. To highlight how the the reduction in the Nitrogen levels limit, combined with other measures in the Nitrates Action Programme such as banding, could significantly impact at farm level. - It will have unintended consequences for the land market and will impact on every sector. - A full economic analysis is needed to understand the potential impact of this change on animal numbers and farm incomes. IFA seek further clarity on the proposed reduction/exit scheme. No funding has been allocated to this and there is no consideration given to generational renewal. In addition, there is no indication of the Department's thinking on this proposal.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Brian Rushe IFA Deputy President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy/Chief Economist

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 (6-10)

Event / Reception (1)

Social Media (2-5)

Letter (2-5)

Informal communication (2-5)

Meeting (2-5)

Submission (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.

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

Micheál Martin An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

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

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

Barry Delany Director (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Colm Hayes Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Barry Cassidy Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

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

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Leo Varadkar An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Philip O'Callaghan Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

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