SEAFOOD SECTOR TASKFORCE

SEAFOOD SECTOR TASKFORCE

IFA Aquaculture welcomes the announcement of the establishment of the Seafood Sector Taskforce and has accepted the Minister’s invitation to participate.

The aquaculture sector has been severely impacted by Brexit due to delays in logistics with transport, and additional paperwork for UK customs for seafood product and trade travelling via the UK land-bridge.

Additional costs have emerged as a result of Brexit, with expected additional costs in transport and logistics, and unclarified costs, in the form of veterinary certification and inspections, upon entry into the UK as a third country.

IFA has been seeking immediate clarity from UK customs and agencies here regarding proposed costs and fees for companies trading with UK customers that could be hit with extraordinary costs for inspections fees per consignment entering the UK on a daily basis from 1st April next.

IFA looks forward to working with the members of the Taskforce and securing the best possible outcome for aquaculture producers from the recommended initiatives that will be made to the Minister to support our seafood sector and coastal communities, in particular securing a fair share for aquaculture producers from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund.

 

March 2, 2021

Information Meeting on Organic Farming Scheme

Information Meeting on Organic Farming Scheme

The Organic Farming Scheme will reopen on Mon, March 1st.

IFA is holding an information evening for farmers considering applying for the scheme on Thurs, 4th March at 8.30 pm. The event will take place over Microsoft Teams.

 Speaking in advance of the event, IFA Organics Project Team Chairman Nigel Renaghan said, “The scheme last reopened in November 2018 for four weeks. 75% of applicants were refused admission due to a flawed points-based system that discriminated against smaller land-based applicants. IFA has made it clear to the Department that this cannot happen again”.

“The organic sector is badly under-resourced, and I know from speaking with farmers that there are huge information gaps.”

 The Department of Agriculture will be available on the night to provide details on the scheme and the points system they apply to applications. Teagasc will also supply advice on the steps to take when considering converting to organic farming and how best to tailor applications.

 “Switching enterprises can be incredibly daunting, so we will also have farmers who have gone through the process available on the night to share their experiences with people. The national certification bodies IOA and Organic Trust will also be on hand to answer any questions farmers have,” said Nigel Renaghan.

 To register for the event visit www.ifa.ie/OFS21

February 26, 2021

RE-OPENING OF ORGANIC FARM SCHEME

RE-OPENING OF ORGANIC FARM SCHEME

IFA Organic Project Team Chairman, Nigel Renaghan has welcomed Minister of State Pippa Hackett’s announcement that the Organic Farming Scheme will re-open.The scheme is due to re-open in the first week of March subject to EU Commission approval. It will increase the number of organic farmers by up to 30% in Ireland.  “We were unequivocal at our AGM last week – the Department must execute this scheme correctly. We are meeting with the Minister later this week to discuss it further,” he said.

Nigel Renaghan said, “The scheme last re-opened in November 2018 for four weeks. 75% of applicants were refused admission due to a flawed points-based system which discriminated against smaller land-based applicants. The re-opened scheme must be properly administered; we cannot have a situation where so many farmers are rejected again”.

“IFA has lobbied extensively for the rejected applicants of the previous scheme who continued to farm organically, despite remaining outside the scheme. The Minister’s commitment to prioritising these farmers is positive. There has to be an acknowledgement that these farmers have been farming organically for the last two years with no payment. They should receive the conversion rate of payment for two years from the time they enter into the scheme.”

Ireland has one of the lowest organic farming levels in the EU, with just 2% of land under organic production, compared to an EU average of 8%. Government support is needed if this number is to increase, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy.

The organic sector is currently under-resourced with investment, research and advisory services. There has to be a balance between the supply and demand for organic produce to maintain farm-gate prices.

 

February 3, 2021