FarmingPeople McConalogue warns against illegal burning of land

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has this week issued a warning to landowners and members of the public not to carry out any illegal burning of land during spring and summer.

“In recent days, we have witnessed uncontrolled burning events in various parts of the country, which not only puts lives and property at risk, but also has a massive environmental impact and it damages the lands due to the uncontrolled nature of these fires,” he said.

“Given the inherent fire risk in spring, it is important that no one should start an illegal fire in the countryside and give rise to unnecessary diversions of vital emergency service resources”.

The Agriculture Minister said late spring wildfires could put homes and livelihoods at risk and cause considerable disruption to rural communities, wildlife, and habitats.

“The farming community has a central role to play in the control of fire in our landscapes through the management of land,” he continued.

“Reduction and maintenance of high-risk vegetation (such purple moor grass, heather, and gorse/ whin) in high fire risk areas is critical to managing this risk. Some of these key preventative actions in known high risk areas are directly supported and demonstrated through the

ICMSA critical of Hen Harrier payments

The Deputy President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has noted that the 2022 payments due to farmers under the Hen Harrier scheme was now headed towards a fourth delay.

Denis Drennan, who also serves as Chair of the association’s Farm and Rural Affairs Committee, said a number of complaints have been received from affected farmers.

He said: “It didn’t bode well for the efforts being made by so many bodies to convince farmers that their efforts at preservation and biodiversity would be recognised and rewarded”.

‘Opportunity to embed Irish beef in Chinese market must be seized’

IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden has said the opportunity presented by the suspension of Brazilian exports to China must now be seized by Irish meat processors and Bord Bia. He was responding to the recent announcement that Brazil has suspended beef exports due to a confirmed case of BSE.

Mr Golden added that the return of Irish beef to the Chinese market must also be reflected immediately in prices to farmers.

Meanwhile, ICSA Beef Chair Edmund Graham has echoed calls for better prices for Irish farmers. “We fought hard to get Irish beef back into the network of EIP projects funded by my Department.

“We are asking for the cooperation of all countryside users in the prevention of wildfires and to join in the protection of these lands over the coming months”.

The Department has now activated its Fire Danger Rating System for the season. The Minister has advised forest owners and managers to check and update fire plans and other relevant contingencies including insurance, access, water points, and private helicopter contracts etc., so as to be prepared well in advance of high fire risk phases.

Farmers and landowners are reminded that the exemption for the burning of agricultural green waste closed on March 1st and will reopen for a threemonth period on September 1st to allow the agricultural sector deal with waste accumulated in the interim.

Following a subsequent meeting with the Minister and Food Vision Group, Mr Comiskey said: “IFA made a clear case to Minister McConalogue that support of €30/ewe was needed for the sector. Instead, the Minister went with €12/ ewe, which is way too low given the impact of inflation on the sector,” he said.

“This is the fourth time our members have taken action and sounded the alarm bell in as many weeks. Let this Government and the processors be under no illusion; we will continue our campaign if support is not forthcoming”.

‘Dribble bars a glaring omission from TAMS list’

Chinese market and we have an opportunity now to really make that market count, and count for the primary producers of beef, not just the processors,” he said.

“This must lead to an increase in beef price as current price is not sufficient for winter finishing”.

Sheep farmers bring campaign to Minister

Sheep farmers have now brought their campaign for stronger supports to the Department of Agriculture following a recent protest in Roscommon town.

IFA Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey submitted a letter to Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue highlighting the deepening income crisis on sheep farms and setting out the urgent need for direct supports.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins has encouraged farmers considering on-farm investment to review the new TAMS 3 list.

The IFA had campaigned to have some farm upgrades added, including cattle underpasses, farm roadways and fencing.

However, Mr Biggins said the removal of dribble bars from the list “was one of the glaring omissions”.

The Rural Development Chair said “it beggars belief” that Government grant-aided dribble bars for farmers to meet their mandatory obligations using Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS), yet now, as thresholds for using LESS lower, dribble bars are excluded.

He did say, however, that TAMS 3 appears more comprehensive than its predecessor and will lead to a significant increase in demand, which in turn would need to be matched by funding.