Agri-Business
The Seanad has heard that the office of the Taoiseach should lead Ireland's application for a new nitrates derogation.
Agri Politics
Senator Tim Lombard told the Seanad that the increasing levels of bovine tuberculosis (TB) is causing "terrible stress" for farm families
Tillage
Minister McConalogue is being called on to develop a subsidy scheme for farmers so that there is enough fodder available this winter.
Rural Life
Officials from Revenue will be quizzed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture over the issue of VAT refunds for farmers.
Forestry
The Ash Dieback Action Plan is a "positive step" to restoring the "eroded confidence" of farmers in forestry.
The damage from Storm Isha has exposed "hundreds of ash trees" infected with ash dieback, a member of the Seanad has claimed.
The Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on agriculture has welcomed the extension of consanguinity relief for farmers under stamp duty.
Dairy
The vice-chair of the Oireachtas agriculture committee said the committee should "engage directly" with the commission on nitrates.
Tillage News
A Fine Gael senator has told the Seanad that a small cohort of tillage farmers will be "destroyed" financially unless they get State support.
The European Commission's decision on nitrates will cause 'huge damage' to the dairy sector, according to TD Jackie Cahill
A meeting of farmers that took place in Co. Cork heard that a potential cut in nitrates derogation would cause "carnage" in the dairy sector.
Senator Tim Lombard has organised a meeting in Clonakilty this evening (Monday, August 28) on sustainability in the agriculture sector.
Beef
Statistics on global food security "make you stop and think how fortunate we are in this country", according to a member of the Seanad.
Senator Tim Lombard said farmers who fear having insufficient fodder for winter that they can withdraw from the Straw Incorporation Measure.
Environment
A "food forum" must be established to deal with the issue of wastage of "imperfect" fruit and vegetables, according to one senator.
The review of Irish planning laws "must ensure" that serial planning objectors cannot hold up farm developments, according to one senator.
There is a need for people to come to Ireland to "fill roles that we can't" according to Senator Tim Lombard.
A senator has called for a "serious conversation" around retail policy that allows for fruit and vegetables to be wasted due to appearance.
Macra officially launched its new five-year strategy at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Co. Cork on Saturday (May 13).
Senator Tim Lombard has been appointed spokesperson on agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries, and the marine for Fine Gael.
The appointment of a panel to review opportunities for new veterinary medicine programmes has been hailed as "a positive step" by one senator.
There are concerns that a new fertiliser database may be undermined by a significant loophole involving fertiliser delivered to ports.
Dairy farmers will be "grossly affected" by a proposed energy tariff at peak electricity consumption times, a member of the Seanad has warned.
