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Uncategorized

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

BE SAFE AND SECURE IN 2021 CAMPAIGN

BE SAFE AND SECURE IN 2021 CAMPAIGN

  • December 17, 2020
  • CrimeRural IrelandRural SecuritySecurityUncategorized

IFA, together with An Garda Síochána and FBD has launched a printed information pack for its members across the country that provides tips on how farmers and the rural community can stay safe and secure in their homes, on their farms and online in the months ahead.

This initiative highlights the need for vigilance in many areas with practical and straightforward information on safety, security and general wellbeing as well as the importance of looking out for your friends, family and neighbours.

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said, “When we entered 2020 we never imagined the year that lay ahead of us. COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way we behave at home, on our farms and in our businesses.”

“As we look ahead to 2021, we must continue to prioritise safety in our homes and look out for those that may need assistance in our communities. We are proud of the strong relationship that exists between ourselves, An Garda Siochàna and our insurance partners FBD. We hope this Guide will provide practical information to help and support you, your family and your neighbours in the months ahead.”

An Garda Siochana’s Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said, “Since my appointment in May 2020 I’m delighted to continue to build on the partnership between IFA and An Garda Siochàna, and we are delighted to support the IFA’s ‘Be Safe and Secure in 2021’ campaign. As we navigate through the winter period together, I want to reassure you that we in An Garda Síochána are here to help, to work with communities to ensure the support you need is available. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact your local Garda Station or phone your Local Authority Helpline. With dark evenings and mornings upon us, the need for road safety and ‘’Be Safe Be Seen’’ is as vital as ever. Whether waking, cycling or driving, preparing for the road trip is essential”.

 

December 17, 2020

VIGILANCE NEEDED FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

VIGILANCE NEEDED FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

  • November 10, 2020
  • Uncategorized

Reacting to the confirmation by the Department of Agriculture today, that a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (bird flu) was detected in a wild bird in Limerick, IFA President Tim Cullinan urged poultry farmers to be particularly vigilant.

“The announcement was not unexpected given the detection of the disease in the UK last week. I urge poultry farmers to be especially vigilant and to review their biosecurity practices,” he said.

“IFA participated in a Department briefing today, and we have updated all of our poultry members reminding them of the measures they should take to protect their flock. Strict bio-security measures are observed in both egg production and broiler farms in Ireland, but flock owners must be especially vigilant at this time and for the coming winter months,” he said.

“The risk is not confined to large-scale commercial production, but also to the many thousands of so-called ‘back yard flocks’. All flock owners should feed and water birds inside or under cover to ensure that wild birds cannot access the feed or water,” he said.

He noted that while avian influenza represents a significant threat to the poultry industry, the risk to public health is very low, and the disease poses no food safety risk for consumers.

Tim Cullinan concluded by calling on authorities on both sides of the Irish border to work closely together on monitoring and decision-making relating to this animal disease issue.

 

Ends.

 

November 10, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE ON PHEASANT SHOOTING

COVID-19 UPDATE ON PHEASANT SHOOTING

  • October 30, 2020
  • Uncategorized

The following Press Release was published on the Garda.ie website on Thursday 29th October.

IFA Countryside has written to the Minister of Justice seeking clarification and pending a response, we advise our members to adhere to all COVID-19 regulations.

What about pheasant shooting during Level 5?
 Pheasant shooting season begins on Sunday 1st November. This normally involves shooting club members travelling to pheasant shoots around the country, frequently in groups, and is regarded as sport shooting.

Under the current regulations (SI 448), sporting events must be organised under the structure/ licence of a national governing body, funded by Sport Ireland. As such, sport shooting is prohibited in any other circumstances.

Recreational hunting does not fall under any of the exemptions allowed for exercise or sporting events. It has also been clarified that recreational hunting does not come under any permissible exemptions for travel outside of the home.

Shooting of vermin (rats/foxes/crows) is permissible as an essential support service to the farming and agriculture profession.

Source: https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/what-about-pheasant-shooting-during-level-5-.html

 

 

October 30, 2020

COVID-19 REGULATIONS UPDATE

COVID-19 REGULATIONS UPDATE

  • October 21, 2020
  • Uncategorized

As of midnight Wednesday 21 October, all of Ireland will be placed on Level 5 of the plan; Living with COVID.  Level 5 restrictions will remain in place for a period of 6 weeks.

IFA Countryside has written to the Government seeking clarification on restrictions as they relate to game hunting and we await a response.

In the meantime, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with Level 5 restrictions https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/.  Breaches of COVID-19 regulations will be penalised.

It is our understanding that placing the country at level 5 restrictions will have the following implications for country sport activities:

  • People are permitted to exercise within a radius of 5km of their home. There will be a penalty from movement outside of 5km of your home. There are certain defined exceptions including for farming purposes ie food production and/or care of animals.  See full list here
  • It is possible to meet with one other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden, such as a park, for exercise.
  • When taking exercise outside, it is important to maintain two metres distance from others and washing hands on returning home.
  • There should be NO organised indoor or outdoor events ie no club or syndicate gatherings

On the above framework, one concludes that an individual may engage in country sport activities, along with another person in a 5 km radius of their home.  Individuals must behave responsibly adhering to social distancing, mask wearing and sanitising.

October 21, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE AND HOW IT AFFECTS COUNTRY SPORTS

COVID-19 UPDATE AND HOW IT AFFECTS COUNTRY SPORTS

  • October 16, 2020
  • Uncategorized

The key points affecting country sport activities and COVID-19 regulations surround the requirement for people to remain within their own county and groups are limited to 15 people gathering outside.  Clubs and syndicates are reminded to ensure members are fully aware of the COVID-19 measures in place before undertaking any activity.

Covid-19 Current Measures

The Government has introduced measures to control the spread of COVID-19. You should continue to follow advice on how you can protect yourself and others, including advice on social distancing.

Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan will move to Level 4 from midnight Thursday 15 October. You can see how see how these measures apply in these counties by clicking here.

The rest of the country remains at Level 3 until midnight Tuesday 27 October but midnight Thursday 15 October, you can no longer have visitors to your home or garden except for compassionate or caring purposes. You can see how these measures apply in these counties by clicking here.

Level 4 Restrictions for Social and family gatherings in your home or garden.

You cannot have visitors from outside your own household.

Other settings outside your home or garden. No social or family gatherings should take place in other settings.

Level 4 Restrictions for Organised indoor gatherings

No organised indoor gatherings should take place. For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).

Level 4 Restrictions Organised outdoor gatherings

Gatherings of up to 15 people can take place outdoors. For example: outdoor arts events or training events.

Level 3 Restrictions for Social and family gatherings in your home or garden

You should not have visitors from outside your household.

No visitors to home or garden, with the exception of visits for essential purposes (for example: family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, and in particular those who live alone).

Other settings outside your home or garden

In outdoor settings away from your home or garden, up to 6 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet while maintaining strict physical distancing – including for outdoor exercise and dining.These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager.

For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).

No organised indoor gatherings should take place.

Level 3 Organised outdoor gatherings

These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager. For example: outdoor arts events, training events.

Gatherings of up to 15 people can take place.

October 16, 2020

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

RING FENCING FUNDING WITHOUT AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WILL NOT ADDRESS ILLEGAL DUMPING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

  • April 30, 2020
  • Uncategorized

IFA has welcomed the decision by Environment Minister Richard Bruton T.D. to ring-fence funds to tackle increased illegal dumping during the current COVID-19 crisis.

However, the Association has called on the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) to develop a results-based plan setting out clearly how this €1m will be spent, what prosecutions they expect to achieve, and how many additional fixed notice penalties they expect local authorities to issue.

Paul O’Brien, IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman said, “Funding to tackle the growing issue of dumping in the countryside is important. But farm families and rural communities are rightly asking, what’s this €1m being used for and how will it lead to catching the serial dumpers who are a blight on the countryside? It’s time Government got tough on these litter louts and asked hard questions of local authorities and the WERLAs who have enforcement and prosecution powers when it comes to tackling illegal dumping”.

 

IFA has restated its call, made in a submission to the Department of Environment earlier this year, for urgent action to tackle the issue of reckless littering in rural areas, by introducing the following five key actions:

 

  1. Details of those who receive on-the spot fines on more than two occasions must be published on local authority websites.
  2. The regional waste enforcement authorities must ensure that all local authorities have a litter prevention plan in place, which is being implemented.
  3. All local authorities must publish a list of convicted serial dumpers and seek tougher sentences.
  4. All retailers, including on-line retailers who put waste packing on the market must be required to fund a recycling programme for the correct management of these materials.
  5. Current waste management laws must be changed to ensure that reckless dumpers are pursued by local authorities and enforcement agencies, not the farmers on whose land is dumped upon.

 

Ends.

April 30, 2020

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR NATIONAL WALKS SCHEME

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR NATIONAL WALKS SCHEME

  • August 7, 2019
  • Uncategorized

IFA National Hill Committee Chairman Flor McCarthy has encouraged farmers to apply for the National Walks Scheme, which will double the number of national walks and benefit up to 2,000 farmers.

The application process is now open to trail management committees, community groups and other similar entities.

At a recent meeting with the Minister for Community and Rural Development, Michael Ring, the Minister confirmed to IFA that the €2m allocated in last October’s Budget will double the funding for the scheme. At present, the Scheme covers 39 trails and benefits 1,900 landowners.

He said that there are a significant number of walks that will be in a position to apply and it is vital that they qualify without delay.  The National Walks Scheme has been a valuable addition to the development of recreational tourism in peripheral areas and supports farmers in the creation of walking routes.

Minister Ring also confirmed to IFA that labour rate for farmers own work in maintaining the walks will increase from €12.50/hr to €13.50/hr.  This will also apply to both existing participants and new participants, including farmers who may be in the middle of their current contracts.

On the national Indemnification Scheme, the Minister confirmed to IFA that the legislation to cover land owners in the event of accident will be published shortly and will be rolled out initially on a pilot basis.

August 7, 2019

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