BANK OF IRELAND CLOSURES A SLAP IN THE FACE FOR RURAL IRELAND

BANK OF IRELAND CLOSURES A SLAP IN THE FACE FOR RURAL IRELAND

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said Bank of Ireland’s announcement on branch closures is very disappointing news for rural communities.

“This comes as a slap in the face to rural communities who rely on local branches for banking services. We estimate that over 80% of the branches identified for closure are in rural locations. The withdrawal of this vital service will discommode those without internet access and people whose preference is to do their banking in person.”

Bank of Ireland will close 88 of its branches from September, reducing its network by one third. Bank of Ireland, which has the largest branch network in the country, temporarily closed 101 branches in March – almost 40 per cent of its locations – due to COVID-19. The bank has been actively engaged in a review of its operations.

Worryingly, the branch closure programme disproportionately targets rural Ireland, with the bulk of branch closures in rural locations. Brian Rushe said IFA will be seeking an urgent meeting with Bank of Ireland senior management to raise the unfair targeting of rural Ireland with the closure programme.

Similar to AIB and Ulster Bank, the bank has signed a deal An Post which will allow personal and business customers to use their local post office for certain services, including withdrawals and lodgements.

Mr Rushe added that research from the UK has shown that the closure of just one branch reduces lending to the local community by some 64%.

This announcement is another hammer blow to the provision of banking services in Ireland following the recent confirmation that Ulster Bank plan to exit the Irish market.

 

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

BOG REWETTING MEETING

BOG REWETTING MEETING

The IFA and Bord na Móna Working Group held their first virtual meeting on the Peatland Climate Action Scheme last week.

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said it was a positive first meeting of the group.

He said, “I  look forward to working closely with Bord na Móna over the next four years as the Peatland Climate Action Scheme rehabilitation works get underway in the 82 bogs identified”.“The scale of the project is ambitious, and the timeline for implementation short, particularly in light of the current COVID-19 restrictions. This limits opportunities for local farmers and communities to engage with the process fully,” said Mr Rushe.

At the meeting, Bord na Móna gave a presentation on the Peatland Climate Action Scheme, which provided insight into the planning process, hydrological assessments, and the management of previous rehabilitation projects.

The IFA Countryside Chairman said, “It was beneficial to receive detailed information about the scheme but that many questions remained unanswered. Farmers have significant concerns. Bord na Móna must address them”.

During the meeting, it was agreed that Bord na Móna  would:

  • Provide written responses to the questions asked by farmers from the Q&A session at the recent IFA meeting on Bog Rewetting,
  • Give an overview of the hydrological assessment, including the procedures for estimating and predicting water on a specific site.

The Working Group will meet again in late March to continue to review the implementation of the Peatland Climate Action Scheme, particularly in the 19 bogs proposed for rehabilitation in 2021.

 

 

February 24, 2021

FLEXABILITY NEEDED ON CONTROLLED GORSE BURNING

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

TRAPPING

TRAPPING

Ministerial Declarations for the Period May 2020 to April 2021

Under the terms of the EU Birds Directive, all EU member States, including Ireland, are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. The Directive allows Member States to make derogations from its protective measures where certain wild bird species are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety or to air safety.

The Minister has signed a State-wide Declaration for the 12 month period from 1st May 2020 to 30th April 2021.

Some of the key features of these declarations are as follows:

  • Different control methods are allowed for different bird species in different situations
  • Three seagull species on the State-wide Declaration are confined to a particular area in North Dublin.
  • The use of non-meat based poisoned or unaesthetic bait to control certain species of Pigeon is only allowed under permit from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This permit must be applied for in advance of control action occurring.
  • The use of cage traps is allowed as a control method for certain species. Any traps used must comply with the relevant traps and snares regulations, (Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003
  • and Section 35(5) of the Wildlife Act). Further details in declaration attached. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1976/act/39/section/35/enacted/en/html
  • The addition of the Common Buzzard to the Air Safety Declaration for Cork Airport.

February 18, 2021

CONTROL OF CERTAIN WILD BIRD SPECIES DEADLINE EXTENSION

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 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

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

BE SAFE AND SECURE IN 2021 CAMPAIGN

BE SAFE AND SECURE IN 2021 CAMPAIGN

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

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

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