Agri-Business
The MREF is calling for a major overhaul of the second phase of the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Support Scheme (SRESS).
The MREF has called on government to reverse grant cuts and address grid access issues to ensure the continued adoption of renewable energy.
"Generous supports" will be needed for additional on-farm slurry and digestate storage under the National Biomethane Strategy, Smith said.
In several counties the amount a farmer can export electricity generated through solar PV is restricted due to grid capacity, Smith said.
The managing director of Local Power has welcomed a commitment from Taoiseach Simon Harris to develop a viable biomethane industry.
Rural Life
The planned upgrade and overhaul of the electricity grid by ESB Networks "needs to happen at speed and at scale", according to the MREF.
The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has welcomed that solar grant applications will be prioritised for approval under the new TAMS.
With the supports available for farmers and a payback between two to three years, investing into solar PV is an "absolute no-brainer".
Environment
The Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has urged the government to "stand up" for farming and...
The MREF said legislation to provide planning exemptions for solar panels on farm buildings will come before the Dáil within a fortnight.
The government of Ireland is being urged to "move quickly" to secure support from the EU to establish a "viable biomethane sector".
The importance of live calf exports for agri-business in Ireland features as a topic of discussion in the latest episode of Farmland, available this evening.
Video
In the latest episode, Stella Meehan speaks to Seamus McMenamin of Bord Bia about calf exports, and Pat Smith about...
The decision to slash the budget for the BEC scheme by over 30% for 2020 has been described as "baffling".
ESB Networks and policy makers need to "make grid access free" for micro-generation, Pat Smith, the chairman of the MREF, contends.
Agri Politics
Costly court settlements have seen the IFA announce a €1.5 million operational deficit for its accounts up to March 31 this year.
Calls have been made for a grant scheme to be introduced to promote commercial rooftop solar for farms and businesses.
Supporting households and farms to install micro-renewable energy is the quickest way to avoid €600 million EU fines, MREF has stated.
A total of 200,000 solar PV installations is a realistic target for Ireland by 2025, the MREF has claimed.
Eddie Downey, the former president of the IFA, has asked for an invitation to speak at the farm body's upcoming national council meeting.
Pat Smith has given his reaction to his High Court settlement with the farmers' organisation, following an agreement earlier today.
It has been confirmed that a settlement has been reached between Pat Smith and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) in Dublin this afternoon.
Pat Smith, managing director of Local Power and former general secretary of the IFA, spoke candidly to AgriLand.
