The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is holding four regional meetings in the coming days to discuss and update members on key farming issues.

South Leinster will hold the first meeting this evening (Wednesday, January 20), followed by Ulster/North Leinster on Friday (January 22).

Munster will hold its meeting next Monday (January 25) and the Connacht meeting will take place the following evening (Tuesday, January 26).

“These meetings will allow us to get the views of members on key issues such as CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] reform and input on policy formation,” Tim Cullinan, president of the IFA said.

Tadhg Buckley, the IFA director of policy, will give a presentation on the CAP, after which there will be a discussion on this and key farming issues.

All meetings are due to run from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. An email invitation will be issued to all those who normally receive Microsoft Teams invitations for county executives.

For those that haven’t received an invitation to a county executive previously, you can register via email.

Farmers invited to free farm safety-focused webinar on funding programmes

Meanwhile, farmers are also invited to attend a free webinar next week that will focus on a number of topics related to farm funding programmes and schemes available this year.

Hosted by Senator Aisling Dolan along with Minister of State Martin Heydon, the event will take place next Tuesday (January 26) at 7:00pm via Zoom.

It will focus on a number of topics, including farm safety and the Accelerated Capital Allowance; the extension of certain farm schemes for 2021; and Brexit. A key focus of the event will be on farm safety and will provide advice for the farming community.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Fine Gael senator said: “Minister Martin Heydon has launched two new programmes on farm safety and this webinar will provide essential information in relation to those.

“We are now in slurry season and activity has really ramped up on the farm in the past week with lambing, and farmers are also coping with young children studying from home and wanting to help Mam or Dad in the farmyards.

“This can increase a lot of risks with farm machinery when it comes to safety in such a busy time.”