Lobbying

DRIVER THEORY TEST MUST BE CLASSIFED AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE

IFA President Tim Cullinan has written to Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton to allow candidates to take the Driver Theory Test remotely.

“I pointed out to Minister Naughton that there are many essential workers who need to secure a Category B and/or W Driver Licence in order to deliver essential services on farms during the Summer, and as part of employment with agricultural contractors.”

The Government decided recently not to classify the Driver Theory Test as an essential service and the suspension of the service until May 4^th.

However, the ProProctor Remote Testing option allows candidates for certain Tests (currently Bus/Truck, Approved Driving Instructor and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) to take their Driver Theory Test from the comfort of their own home.

“The RSA has stated that the service is reliable and convenient while delivering a secure testing experience. This service must be extended to candidates applying for other driver licence categories such as cars (Category B) and tractors (Category W),” said Tim Cullinan.

“Farming, farm labour, crop and animal production, farm relief services, and the provision of support services relating to any of the agricultural services specified are all included in the Government’s list of essential services at Level 5.”

“These essential workers should be allowed to compete their Essential Driving Training in order to take their Driving Test and obtain their Driving Licence.”

April 14, 2021

FLEXABILITY NEEDED ON CONTROLLED GORSE BURNING

IFA has called on the Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan to ensure managed burning of gorse is allowed to take place in March due to the inclement wet weather in January and February.

“The extension by a month is of vital importance as it will address better vegetative management; help farmers keep land eligible for various CAP schemes; and reduce uncontrolled wildfires” IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said.

“We want to maintain farming in these areas, while respecting the ecological value of lands with gorse and certain types of grass species. Without farming, these areas would go wild and the incidence of wildfires would significantly increase,” he said.

“The Minister must take account of how farmers manage their hill land responsibly. Where land is burned, it is done in a managed way. Controlled gorse burning has not happened yet this year because there was no opportunity due to the wet weather,” he said.

“Flexibility will allow hill famers to deal with the practical issues they face in managing their hill farms. Wildfires we have seen in the past can be avoided if the window for burning is extended to include the month of March,” he said.

February 24, 2021

CONTROL OF CERTAIN WILD BIRD SPECIES DEADLINE EXTENSION

IMPORTANT

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has extended the deadline for members of the public to forward comments/proposals in relation to the control of certain wild bird species.

The new deadline date for comments/proposals to be submitted to the Department is Friday February 19^th 2021 at 5pm.

A consultation notice regarding this was published on the NPWS website on 16^th December 2020 at the following link: https://www.npws.ie/news/control-certain-wild-bird-species, including details on where to send submissions.

The current declarations, made by the then Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, allowing for the control of certain wild bird species are due to expire on 30 April 2021.

IFA SUBMISSION

To read IFA’s submission to the NPWS, please click here.

February 3, 2021

LEAD AMMUNITION

PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON LEAD AMMUNITION OVER WETLANDS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST FARMERS

IFA Environment and Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Paul O’Brien said he has serious concerns regarding the proposed restrictions on lead ammunition over wetlands.

He said the proposal is disproportionate and discriminatory toward farmers. At no point in the proposal is any consideration given to the farmer, landowner or gun club members who have a legitimate need to use firearms to protect livestock and crops.

“IFA had pointed out to the NPWS on numerous occasions over the last two years the effects the proposed restriction would have on farmers. We are extremely disappointed with Minister Noonan, who had at the first opportunity shown little or no regard for farmers’ concerns, the custodians of the countryside,” he said.

The proposal uses the RAMSAR definition of a wetland, which means over 80% of the country could be classed as a wetland. This will include farmyards and fields where farmers or gun club members will need to use a firearm to protect livestock and crops.

Under the new regulation, simply being in possession or using lead ammunition, a farmer or gun club members will be breaching the regulations and open to prosecution.

Steel gunshots, which are the most likely alternative to be used, are available at a comparable price, but no consideration has been given to the cost of replacement shotguns, which are capable of firing steel shot. Shotguns that have the correct safety requirement or which are proofed to fire steel shot have a replacement cost of over €2,000.

September 10, 2020

IFA WELCOMES MINISTER’S DECISION ON WOOD PIGEON DEROGATION

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe has welcomed the decision by the Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan to revoke the initial Wild Birds State Wide Declaration for the period 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021.

Following a recent meeting with the NPWS on the issue, IFA submitted a detailed document https://www.ifa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Wood-Pidgeon-Derogation.pdf, which highlighted the need to reverse the decision relating to woodpigeon control.

Brian Rushe said wood pigeons can cause serious damage to crops at any stage of the season. It is important that farmers are allowed to control the bird because of the threat to a broad range of cereal, legume and vegetable crops throughout the twelve months of the year.

May 22, 2020