Rural Life
Tend VR is a mental health and wellbeing organisation developing mental health support via virtual reality (VR) headsets
Turn2Me, Ireland’s national mental health charity, is urging people who find Christmas difficult to make use of its free online services.
Environment
Farmers are increasingly turning to solar energy, but 48% believe financial return is the biggest barrier to renewable diversification
Tillage
IGGG confirmed that it is 'confident' that a mechanism for financial support will be put in place for farmers unable to harvest crops
Irish farmers must receive 'tangible supports' and financial incentives if they are to cut emissions by 25%, two Irish MEPs have said
Agri-Business
The Commission has approved a €20.2 million support scheme for primary agricultural producers in Czech Republic
A TD reminded the horticultural sector to submit applications to the Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme before the deadline this week.
N.Ireland
UFU confirms that the broad swathe of farmers in Northern Ireland fully support the organisation’s policy priorities at the present time.
The Government should review its policy on rural planning permission, according to retired Kilcormac principal and farmer John Keane.
Agri Politics
There is a "clear need for an immediate roll-out of EU support measures" Macra says - but any mandatory reduction measures must be rejected.
The European Commission has remained tight-lipped as to what market interventions can be expected for the agricultural sector.
Minister Creed has been called on to clarify when he became aware that the €50 million beef fund was contingent on production reduction.
Beef
The news of a "production reduction" measure in the Brexit beef package has been described as "hugely frustrating" by the Beef Plan Movement.
The €100 million Brexit beef package has to be targeted at the farmers who need it most, with no strings attached, according to the IFA.
Minister Creed has been called on by the ICSA to consult with farm organisations on the means of distributing the €100 million beef package.
The €100 million aid package for the Irish beef sector has been welcomed by the ICMSA, which calls for the immediate finalisation of details.
Exceptional aid will be necessary to protect the Irish beef industry from the worst effects of Brexit, according to Minister Creed.
Support measures for flood-hit farmers in northeast Co. Donegal have been revealed this afternoon by Minister Creed.
