Specific Details
IFA Manifesto for European Parliament Elections 2019
Intended results
CAP Budget 2021-2027: the CAP budget be increased to take account of inflation and to compensate farmers for any additional requirements placed upon them as a result of this CAP reform.
Possible rollover of CAP: that should the CAP be rolled over, it is critical that the budget is in place to avoid any linear cuts in direct payments and to fully facilitate a seamless transition for farm schemes under Pillar II such as GLAS, TAMs and ANCs.
CAP Reform Proposals - Convergence: EU Commission position supported to increase payments per ha for genuine farmers with payments below national average. However, must be funded by increasing CAP budget or implementing EU genuine farmer definition. Not by reducing per ha payments above average. Convergence objectives should be achieved through upwards only payment adjustments per ha. Full sectoral impact analysis of convergence proposals, ensuring more nonviable farmers are not created.
CAP Reform Proposals - Genuine farmers: The genuine farmer concept be fully explored in the context of the need to target payments towards active farmers. A further issue to be evaluated in the context of defining the genuine farmer, is the practice of farmers leasing out their entitlements, having exited farming.
CAP Reform Proposals - Coupling: In the context of increased CAP funding the option of introducing more coupled payments as part of the next CAP must be considered in targeting support to active farmers in vulnerable sectors.
CAP Reform Proposals - Capping: That the current EU Commission position on capping be supported. Also, that leased-in entitlements are excluded from the calculation, and family employment and formal partnerships are factored in.
CAP Reform Proposals - Eco-schemes: Pillar I eco-schemes should be voluntary for Member States and farmers. That measures under any Pillar I eco-schemes must not undermine environmental schemes in Pillar II. Where eco-schemes are entered into, they should not involve additional costs on the farmer, and the schemes must be simple and easy to apply for. Also, ANCs should be allowed as part of the 40% environmental calculation requirement (Pillar I and Pillar II).
CAP Reform Proposals - simplification & subsidiarity: All farmers, including those selected for inspection, receive min 70% of BPS payment in mid-Oct. Inspection issues resolved from 30% balance. Establish close-out inspections' system allowing farmers to correct unintentional non-compliance without incurring penalties. No increase in cross-compliance requirements & full recognition of SMRs/GAECs achieved. Impose realistic targets/indicators. Compensation of costs for increase in standards.
CAP Reform Proposals - rural development: Increase RDP 2021 - 2027 fund from €4bn to €5bn. Whole farm environmental schemes like REPS, max payment €10,000/farm; higher for SAC/SPA. Increase ANC annual allocation to over €300m. TAMs available to all; 70% grant aid for young farmers/50% for rest. More funding for farmers in environmental/economic resource efficiency programmes e.g.Smart Farming. Support young farmers across all schemes. Minimise leakage of funds for advisory/service providers
CAP Reform Proposals - generational renewal: Support for committed young farmers including preferential national reserve, top up payments (BPS, TAMs & Installation aid), partnership supports & mainstreaming of land mobility service. Introduction of retirement scheme to encourage transfer of farms. Taxation policy to incentivise/support young trained farmers. Entitlement transfer system favouring active farmers/committed new entrants. Removal of €70,000 limit placed on young trained farmers.
CAP Reform Proposals - POs: CAP post 2020 continues to support POs for all sectors. Costs, rules, regulations & admin burden, including PO reporting/inspections, be simplified further to encourage uptake. More funds to support establishment/ongoing running costs required. Extra protection against unfair treatment of POs by buyers. Retain environmental requirements under Article 44 of COM(2018) 392/3 CAP reform 2021-2027 at current levels. Potato producers qualify under EU Fruit and Veg PO scheme
Brexit: special purpose package, including emergency EU market disturbance supports and targeted direct producer payments, as well as long term structural adjustment support, for all sectors. Setting-aside of State Aid limits. In the event of a no-deal, an immediate EU aid package must be triggered to support farmers & maintain current retail positions on UK shelves. Currency devaluations arising from the weakness of sterling must be factored into all EU aid measures
Brexit Beef crisis: for Brexit losses incurred since autumn 2018, Government & EU Commission must introduce aid package for beef farmers immediately, using cattle numbers/price information based on Dept of Agric's AIMS /price reporting databases, developing aid scheme based on payment of €20/head for every 5c/kg price drop. For Brexit-related losses going forward, a comprehensive package of market support measures/direct aid required to cover - market implications & costs due to UK leaving EU.
EU Trade policy: The EU must not agree any trade deal which further compromises the viability of sectors, such as beef in agriculture and/or sets a double standard in the market and undermines the quality and standards of EU food.
Bioeconomy: funding must come from outside CAP for development of a dedicated EU bioeconomy programme to facilitate investment & establishment of community/farm-based supply-chains. European Investment Bank should prioritise and commit a targeted minimum funding allocation to community based and locally-led bio-based/renewable projects, rather than large scale commercial entities.
Environmental metrics: Review of existing practice of benchmarking GHG emissions, recognising the short-term life-span of methane in the atmosphere. Carbon accounting methodology is reviewed - carbon sequestered on farms through grassland, forestry and renewables should be allocated to the agricultural sector.
Environmental regulation: current review of Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC makes provision for full package of measures, including compensation, where farmers endure crop yield & income losses when practices are restricted. Continuing Ireland's nitrates derogation at 250 kgs Org N/ha, without excessive compliance obligations. Supporting sector's on-going development/contribution to national economy. Review of Ammonia Directive (EU) 2016/2284, as absence of affordable technical solutions.
Climate action & renewables: completion of RIA by EU Commission for each Member State to assess impact on jobs/environment in achieving "climate neutral" proposals by 2050. EU Commission outlines how a "climate neutral" Europe can be achieved, while not compromising sustainable food production. Amend Renewable Energy Directive to introduce farm scale/community renewable energy targets, min community share ownership in mid to large scale projects & low cost funding to purchase shares.
Retail regulation - UTPs: EU must now progress & oversee transposition by Member States of Directive into national legislation. That the common European Framework provided for in the Directive is implemented & compliments existing national legislation. EU ensures Members States appoint a designated public authority for enforcement of Directive. Also, that there will be a review in 4 years.
Market transparency & price reporting: the recommendations in the Agri-Markets Task Force (AMTF) Report be supported by EU Commission legislation & fully enacted. The designated Public Authority's remit be expanded to provide this information to the EU Commission.
EU High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain: The work of the EU High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain would continue under the new EU Commission.
Fertiliser: the EU Commission conducts a full Union Interest Test & explores options to redress farmers; it drops the Urea Ammonium Nitrate investigation; terminates the AD measures on ammonium nitrate in the upcoming expiry review and reduces the customs duties, currently at 6.5%, to zero.
New Breeding Techniques (NBT): decisions to restrict the use of NBT must be based on comprehensive scientific evidence and all parties keep an open mind on decisions surrounding the development of NBT.
Live exports: EU recognises our island status in travel requirements, no further restrictions on live export trade & guarantee full access to EU Single Market. EU maintains current export of live animal provisions to ensure competition in marketplace; protects existing supply routes without additional admin/bureaucracy. Support stakeholders to increase ferry/lairage capacity, particularly for calves, whilst maintaining animal welfare standards. Get international live export trade at capacity.
Designated Natura Land: The re-opening of environmental NPWS farm plan schemes, which were closed during the recession. Particularly relevant to the Shannon Callows, Hen Harrier areas and hill land where there are severe farming and other developmental restrictions.
Animal Health: 0% VAT rate applied as soon as possible on adoption of current proposed EU Council Directive (2006/112/EC). Protect farmers from extra costs/unnecessary controls more flexibility required to allow scientifically based controls to be implemented at Member State level. Continued access to all veterinary medicine currently available, including those licensed through UK, without any extra costs/bureaucracy associated with changes to categorisation, supply routes & prescribing criteria
EU Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ): MEPs must oppose proposed changes to the EU Directive on TRQs for poultry.
EU Sheep Meat Forum: Support key recommendations of EU Sheep Meat Forum - increased targeted direct payment of €30/ewe funded by EU/national resources; ring fence significant EU funding for sheep meat communications/promotions programme. Cost of EID tagging reduced / subsidised; one single EID tag for store lams at marts. No increase in EU meat import quota from 3rd countries in new trade deal/ ref. Brexit. TRQs reallocated on no loss/no gain basis.
Licencing Plant Protection: removal of differences in environmental & regulatory controls between EU producers & non-EU importers. Parity of treatment in licencing of products with the introduction of an equivalence in standards, for products imported into the EU. Review of TRQs based on the licencing of imported grains, particularly maize, this unequal treatment undermines Ireland's native cereal sector e.g. barley.
Country of Origin Labelling: Further legislation be introduced to include wholesale and loose meat products.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Joe Healy, IFA President
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
Mass communications
Letter All Oireachtas Members
Submission All Oireachtas Members
Letter All MEPs
Submission All MEPs
Letter All Councillors
Submission All Councillors
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (11-20)
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.
Mairead McGuinness
MEP (European Parliament)
Matt Carthy
MEP (European Parliament)
Luke "Ming" Flanagan
MEP (European Parliament)
Seán Kelly
MEP (European Parliament)
Billy Kelleher
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Mick Wallace
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Frances Fitzgerald
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciarán Cuffe
MEP (European Parliament)
Clare Daly
MEP (European Parliament)
Maria Walsh
MEP (European Parliament)
Grace O'Sullivan
MEP (European Parliament)
Liadh Ní Riada
MEP (European Parliament)
Brendan Smith
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)