The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 18 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Urgent Support for Farmers Impacted by Storm Eowyn

Intended results To highlight the devastating impact that Storm Éowyn has had on many IFA members across the country. Thousands of farmers across the country have been battling and dealing with the aftermath of last week's winds, and the unforeseen additional costs that it will bring. Significant damage to farm buildings, infrastructure, fencing, forestry and/or horticulture crops and livestock unfortunately is all too familiar. This is the second major weather event of 2025 with many farmers similarly impacted, although less in number, following unprecedented snowfall at the start of January. To encourage the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to give serious consideration to the following recommendations to mitigate the impact of Storm Éowyn and more fully demonstrate solidarity and support for impacted farmers • Put in place an Emergency Hardship Fund. Article 6(a) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 outlines specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters, with maximum co-financing. This should support one-off payment for farmers most impacted by Storm Éowyn and/or the recent snowfall event to support re-building efforts and continuity of farming and forestry activities; • Introduce a bespoke simplified and streamlined/prioritised TAMS application process (for a defined period) for impacted farmers, where verified and essential farm infrastructure/building repair is required to sustain animal welfare; water quality; nutrient storage and/or farm safety standards; • Increase reach and funding allocated to the 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector to support necessary repair and/or rebuilding works on impacted property/infrastructure. In addition, financial support should be afforded via the aforementioned Emergency Hardship Fund to mitigate increased expenditure incurred in the preservation of existing crops where damage to key infrastructure has occurred; • Introduce an exemption on felling licences for forests damaged by Storm ?owyn, with replanting premiums and supports, where required, provided;

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Support, Paul O'Brien IFA South Leinster Regional Chair, Caillin Conneely IFA Hill Farming Chair, Stephen Canavan IFA Galway Chair, Jason Fleming IFA Kerry 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.

Letter (1)

Email (2-5)

Social Media (2-5)

Meeting (2-5)

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 Dolan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

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

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

John Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

Keira Keogh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

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

Michael Healy-Rae Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)