The upcoming Teagasc Farm Business Conference will address the main legal and financial changes that have impacted on Irish agriculture over the past two years, according to Kevin Connolly, one of the organising team behind the event.

“These will include the abolition of milk quotas, the impact of the new CAP support measures, recent tax changes introduced by the Department of Finance and the implication of the new Food Wise 2025 targets,” he said.

“Our last business conference was held in 2013. Back then one of the key themes addressed was that of land mobility. And, as a consequence, we will be re-visiting this issue in 2015.”

Connolly confirmed that the Teagasc conference will be of specific interest to accountants, legal professionals and consultants working within Irish agriculture.

“The afternoon session will comprise two concurrent workshops,” he said.

“How to negotiate new credit arrangements with the banks will be the focal point of the workshop on financial issues. This has been stimulated on the back of the growing transition from sole trading businesses to partnerships and the formation of limited companies within Irish agriculture.

“The legal workshop will focus on the critical elements of a collaborative agreement.”

The keynote address will be given by Andrew Doyle, Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He will give a summary of recent Government initiatives impacting on the agri sector.

“Unstructured CPD points will be available to all delegates attending in a professional capacity,” said Connolly.

“Certificates of competence will be distributed at the close of the conference. Booking on-line beforehand is essential. Delegates cannot pay on the day.”

The day-long Teagasc conference will take place on Tuesday, September 8: the venue is the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.