The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 17 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Donegal County Council -Enough is Enough Campaign

Intended results To voice farmers' anger and frustration at the ever-increasing administrative burden being placed on them which has had a major impact on farm family incomes. These frustrations have broadened into anger with European and National lawmakers over the massive increase in regulations relating to Agriculture. The EU, the Irish Government and local Government are devising policies far from the farm gate with little or no consideration of the direct impact on farmers. The following are some of the key issues that are contributing to growing frustration and anger with the political system 1. The transformation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) away from supporting food production towards actually reducing farm output. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding is being redirected to environmental schemes – the EU is effectively implementing new environmental regulations such as the “eco-schemes” on the cheap by redirecting existing funding instead of allocating additional funds. 2. The failure of the EU to properly compensate farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In 2014, Ireland received €1.16bn in Pillar one funding from EU – that figure is effectively the same today, 10 years on, despite huge inflation in farmers' cost of production in the interim. Farmers are being asked to do much more to receive a lot less funds in real terms. 3. The proposed Mercusor trade deal being pushed by the European Commission has the capacity to devastate, in particular, the Irish beef sector. Europe is placing a massive amount of additional regulations on European farmers but, at the same time, is seeking to increase food imports from South America produced under much lower environmental rules with a higher carbon footprint. 4. Overly complicated schemes which have been poorly implemented by the Irish Department of Agriculture. This has contributed to widespread delays in payments, most notably the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) scheme. Following a meeting between the Minister and IFA President Francie Gorman last week on foot of the Feb 1st protests, the Minister agreed to make an interim payment to all farmers. However, this will only partly resolve the payments mess created by his own department. In addition, there are farmers still waiting to get into the scheme. 5. There has also been a complete systems failure on farm investment grant aid Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) scheme. No approvals of note were granted under the scheme in 2023. 6. Farm schemes are now so complicated that agri consultants are threatening strike action as the feel they can no longer administrate these schemes designed by the Department of Agriculture effectively. 7. Reductions to the Nitrates derogation from 250kg organic N to 220kg organic N imposed by the European Commission with absolutely no flexibility offered. Furthermore, the Commission continue to threaten to remove it altogether in 2026. 8. The Nature Restoration Law which places further restrictions on farmers, particularly on designated lands with no compensation. 9. The Industrial Emissions Directive and the Commission's farcical handling of it. Their initial proposals would have seen c. 50% of Irish dairy farmers requiring an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) license just to farm. The current revised proposal excludes bovines but will still see a huge amount of additional pig and poultry farmers now requiring an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA license). The Commission's approach to classify farms under an “industrial” directive encapsulates their current lack of regard for farming. 10. The lack of flexibility being shown to tillage farmers within new regulations. No flexibility currently being offered to farmers who are struggling to meet the stipulated “3-crop rule” due to very difficult autumn weather conditions which massively limited autumn plantings. 11. Agricultural emissions which are not being measured fairly. There must be an accurate measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon removals at farm level. It is imperative that any measurement of emissions and removals is based on research that reflects Irish conditions. On-farm sequestration and biogenic methane from livestock, along with emissions and removals from Ireland's unique mineral and peat soils, must be based on peer reviewed trials in Ireland. On-farm measures such as anaerobic digestion and rooftop solar should count towards reducing emissions from the agricultural sector. 12. The shambolic management of Ireland's forestry policy which has led to farmers losing complete confidence in the forestry sector compounded by the refusal of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) to provide appropriate recompense for farmers impacted by Ash Dieback. The total amount of land planted for forestry in 2023 was 1,650ha, corresponding to the lowest annual planting rate since 1946. To ask Donegal County Council to do their utmost to highlight the issues raised and seek a fundamental reset of how farm policy is devised and implemented both at the EU and in Ireland. To ask that Donegal County Council approve the following resolution Donegal County Council resolves to write to the President of the EU Commission, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture advising them that the Council has passed the following resolution. Donegal County Council supports the IFA ‘enough is enough' campaign. The Council recognises the significant contribution that farming, and the Agri-sector makes to the Irish and local economy. The Council acknowledges the income challenge on Irish farmers arising from the significant increases in the cost of doing business, regulatory costs and cuts in Basic Income support for farmers. The Council calls on the Government to introduce no further regulations on farmers or any measures that may increase costs on farms without full negotiation and agreement with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). The Council calls on the European Union and the Irish Government to provide additional stand-alone funding, separate to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to support farmers to undertake climate and biodiversity measures.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joe Sweeney IFA Donegal County Chair

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.

Event / Reception (1)

Email (2-5)

Social Media (1)

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.

Albert Doherty Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Anthony Molloy Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Barry Sweeny Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Ciaran Brogan Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Donal "Mandy" Kelly Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Frank McBrearty Jnr Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Gary Doherty Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Gerry Crawford Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Gerry McMonagle Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Ian McGarvey Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Jack Murray Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Jimmy Kavanagh Councillor (Donegal County Council)

John O'Donnell Councillor (Donegal County Council)

John Shéamuis Ó Fearraigh Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Johnny McGuinness Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Kevin Bradley Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Liam Blaney Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Liam Doherty Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Marie T Gallagher Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Martin Farren Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Martin Harley Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Martin McDermott Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Michael McBride Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Michael McClafferty Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Michael McMahon Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Michéal Naughton Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Niamh Kennedy Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Nicholas Crossan Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Noel Andrew Jordan Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Noreen McGarvey Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Patrick McGowan Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Paul Canning Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Rena Donaghey Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Terry Crossan Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Tom Conaghan Councillor (Donegal County Council)