The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details Spruce Bark Beetle

Intended results To highlight the concern farmers are experiencing by the threat posed by bark beetles to their conifer plantations given the unprecedented amount of conifer mortality that we are seeing in Europe and the UK. Bark beetle outbreaks are erupting with increasing frequency, new infestations can become full-blown very quickly and once that happens it can seriously hinder timber production. To seek, given the threat posed following the recent findings, the immediate establishment of a Spruce Bark Beetles Taskforce. Bark beetles have been found in Scotland's Pest Free Area (PFA) recently. The Pest Free Area (PFA) enables the movement of conifer roundwood and bark to the Island of Ireland. To highlight the importance of Ireland being proactive to prevent the spread of spruce bark beetles and that full consideration is given to the various risk factors, including the cessation of importation of timber from Scotland or the introduction of a requirement to debark timber. It is vital that current monitoring and surveillance programmes both here and in Scotland are reviewed immediately and additional biosecurity measures introduced, if necessary. The latest research must be reviewed to provide better information to inform actions and develop a contingency plan. To emphasise that, given the potential threat, it is essential that the sector remains vigilant and can act swiftly, if necessary, in an ever-changing environment. To propose that the communication with farmers and all stakeholders be improved and they must be kept informed of the measures that are in place to improve biosecurity. It is their forestry investment that is at risk. To call for a temporary suspension on the importation of timber from the region affected until a full review of the biosecurity measures for spruce bark beetles is undertaken.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Jason Fleming IFA Farm Forestry Chair, Geraldine O'Sullivan IFA Senior Policy Executive

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 (1)

Email (6-10)

Informal communication (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.

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

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

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Johnny Mythen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

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

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Jack O'Donnell Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)