IFA Countryside

IFA Countryside is dedicated to defending the interests of those who actively enjoy the Irish countryside.

IFA Countryside
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Lobbying

DRIVER THEORY TEST MUST BE CLASSIFED AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE

DRIVER THEORY TEST MUST BE CLASSIFED AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE

  • April 14, 2021
  • LobbyingRural Ireland

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 4th.

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

FLEXABILITY NEEDED ON CONTROLLED GORSE BURNING

  • February 24, 2021
  • countrysideEnvironmentHabitatsLobbyingUncategorized

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

CONTROL OF CERTAIN WILD BIRD SPECIES DEADLINE EXTENSION

  • February 3, 2021
  • countrysideEnvironmentLobbyingNPWSShootingVermin Control

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 19th 2021 at 5pm.

A consultation notice regarding this was published on the NPWS website on 16th 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

LEAD AMMUNITION

  • September 10, 2020
  • Lead shotLobbyingNPWSPheasantsShootingUncategorizedVermin Control

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

  • May 22, 2020
  • LobbyingUncategorizedVermin Control

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

FIVE ACTIONS TO ADDRESS RECKLESS DUMPING IN RURAL AREAS – IFA

FIVE ACTIONS TO ADDRESS RECKLESS DUMPING IN RURAL AREAS – IFA

  • February 26, 2020
  • EnvironmentHabitatsLobbyingRural Ireland

IFA has made a submission to the Department of Environment calling for urgent action to tackle the issue of reckless littering in rural areas.

(more…)

February 26, 2020

IFA Lobby the EU Agriculture Commissioner on Lead Ammunition Ban

  • September 10, 2019
  • Lead shotLobbyingShooting

Members of Kilkenny IFA lobby Commissioner Hogan in Brussels today on Proposed Ban on Lead Shot.

September 10, 2019

Recent Posts

  • Coillte confirms to IFA They’re not Working on Any Further Partnerships with Funds
  • Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m
  • NPWS seeks information on White-tailed Eagle found dead in Cavan 
  • Trim Co. Meath announced as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2022
  • Motorists urged to be vigilant during deer breeding season

Categories

  • Angling
  • aquaculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Biology
  • Bogs
  • Broadband
  • Climate
  • Coillte Licences
  • Community
  • Conservation
  • countryside
  • Crime
  • DAFM
  • Deer
  • Deer Hunting
  • DEER LICENCES
  • DEER STALKING
  • Disease
  • Dogs
  • Duck
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • FBD
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Game
  • Gardening
  • Grants
  • Gun Clubs
  • Habitats
  • HCAP
  • Heritage
  • Horses
  • IWTF
  • Lead shot
  • Littering
  • Lobbying
  • Member Benefits
  • Mental Health
  • NPWS
  • Open Seasons
  • Organic
  • Peat Harvesting
  • Pheasants
  • Project Ireland
  • Rural Development
  • Rural Economy
  • Rural Ireland
  • Rural Security
  • Rural Services
  • Security
  • Shooting
  • Sustainability
  • Trapping
  • Uncategorized
  • Vermin Control
  • Walking
  • Walking Trails
  • Walkways
  • Water
  • weather
  • wildlife management
  • Home
  • Countryside News
  • Lobbying

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982

Connect With Us

  • Irish Farmers’ Association
  • Download the new IFA App
  • IFA Member Services
  • AgriApps.ie
  • SmartFarming
  • Privacy Statement

© 2023 IFA Countryside

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
This website uses cookies. We use cookies to personalise your web experience and to analyse our traffic.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPTREJECT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT