Journalists

24 farmers feature on Revenue's tax defaulter's list 

Twenty four farmers feature on the latest list of tax defaulters list, for the last quarter of 2018.

Wrong country code on label leads to confusion around SuperValu beef 

SuperValu has moved to dispel claims that fresh beef on its shelves at a Co Wicklow supermarket is not Irish.

Margaret Donnelly: 'If we don't support young farmers we're not supporting farming' 

There's no question but our membership of the EU and the benefits of the CAP have been a huge boost to rural Ireland over the past 35 years. But it's time the EU looked at who it is and isn't supporting.

What is a young farmer? Under 41, actively farming and educated? 

Just 6.5pc of the EU's farmers are classified as 'young' or under 35 and the main young farmers organisation in Europe, CEJA, is calling for a doubling of the ambition for generational renewal in farming.

'I did the Green Cert as CAP reform was coming up, but the money went to the big boys. I was left high and dry' 

Roscommon farmer Trevor Kelly says he did his Green Cert as the last CAP reform was coming up and he was assured there would be a category for him in in.

Demand for Level 8 Ag Science courses jumps 

The number of students applying for Ag Science Level 8 courses has jumped by 13pc, the latest figures from the CAO show.

Healy meets Barnier ahead of crucial week for Brexit 

Irish Farmers’ Association president Joe Healy met chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier ahead of key Brexit votes en route to the Six Nations clash between Ireland and France.

Instagram censors chef's pictures of pigs' trotters and ears labelling it 'sensitive' content 

A leading chef in the UK has criticised Instagram for censoring a picture she posted on the popular social media site of pigs' ears and trotters.

Just 1% of Irish farmers would be affected by €60,000 cap on Basis Payment - Fianna Fail 

Just 1pc of Irish farmers would be affected by a ceiling of €60,000 being put on the Basic Payment Scheme in the next CAP, according to figures from Fianna Fail.

Turkey may re-open to live exports later this year - Minister 

Turkey may re-open to live exports from Ireland later this year the Minister for Agriculture has said after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart today.

'After months lambing ewes and calving with my dad the idea of working elsewhere was not attractive' 

Getting into farming for the right reasons are what I think are important, according to Linda Hanbidge-Cliffe.

CAP must strengthen the definition of an 'active farmer' - Macra 

Young farmers are the lifeblood and future of rural communities providing direct and indirect employment, raw materials for exports and further processing and environmental and countryside management, according to Macra and the next CAP must reflect this.

Tipperary grower scoops top grain supplier award with Glanbia Ireland 

Richard Thomson-Moore, a grain grower from Barne Estate in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, has claimed the Glanbia Ireland Grain Supplier of the Year award for 2018.

'It's irresponsible and potentially very damaging to question the effectiveness of Irish TB controls' 

IFA Animal Health Chairman Pat Farrell has reacted angrily to the claims by Professor Simon Moore that cattle from Irish farms that meet the EU Trade Directive criteria for TB are not safe to trade.

Arla farmers vote to pay themselves entire net profits of €290m 

In a vote late on Wednesday, Arla’s Board of Representatives approved the proposal of the Board of Directors to pay out the entire annual net profit of Arla Foods to farmer owners.

Reliant: Ireland is more exposed on exports than any other EU country - no deal could cost €1.7bn 

Why would WTO tariffs being imposed by the UK be so significant to Ireland?

'It's a liquidation job if EU and Government don't help beef farmers' 

Denis Large is a third-generation beef and tillage farmer outside Urlingford, in Co Tipperary.

Britain threatens to favour Brazilian beef over Irish as new trade war looms 

Britain has upped the ante in the battle over the Brexit backstop, by threatening to favour Brazilian beef over Irish using a system of tariffs and quotas.

Glanbia shakes up its boardroom with new appointments 

Glanbia today announced two new members to its board, as independent non-executive directors, as it announced plans to reorganise the composition of its Board of Directors.

Kerry eyes UK job cuts in Brexit overhaul 

KERRY GROUP will look at potential job cuts in its UK operations over the coming months as part of a review of its manufacturing divisions.

UK government to announce 'robust' protections for farming shortly - Gove 

The UK government is to make an announcement on new UK tariffs in a no deal Brexit scenario - with specific and robust protections for farming shortly, according to its Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove.

IFA says Minister 'incorrect' to call four-movement rule a 'purely private arrangement' 

IFA has described as “highly misleading” and “incorrect” the use of the term “a purely private arrangement” which was used by the Minister for Agriculture to describe the four movement rule or any other specification criteria applied by the meat plants.

Margaret Donnelly: 'Leo said farmers were the lifeblood of our economy, but now they are feeling forgotten' 

Rural Ireland firmly believes the Government has forgotten about it. While just 12 months ago, the Taoiseach said farmers were the heartbeat of rural Ireland and the lifeblood of the recovered economy, he seems to have forgotten a couple of important things, so it is little wonder he is far from popular among farmers at the moment.

TB levels at historically low levels, but progress towards eradication has slowed - Department 

New figures from the Department of Agriculture show that while TB is at historically low levels, progress towards eradication appears to have slowed since 2015.

'They have let us down' - local IFA members shut down branch, but senior officials vow to go on 

Members of IFA in Mayo have shut down their own local branch, but senior IFA officials say it will be re-established.

Bertie Ahern says hard Brexit would be 'devastating' for agri-food sector 

A hard Brexit would be devastating for the agri-food sector, according to the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Less people buying farms for 'love of the land', says auctioneer 

Business men and developers were key figures in auction rooms during the Celtic Tiger years, eager to bolster the small holdings they may have come from, or 'go back to their roots'.

Social project gives refugee Syrian olive farmers a chance to share skills 

For two olive farmers from Syria far away from home, integrating into the rural town of Claremorris, Co Mayo, wouldn't appear to be easy.

How social farming and Google translate helped Syrian olive farmers get back to their roots in Mayo 

For two olive farmers from Syria, integrating into the rural town of Claremorris, Mayo, was not necessarily going to be easy.

Poultry farmers outraged over 'Irish' labels on foreign chicken 

Poultry farmers are demanding a commitment from Kerry Foods to support Irish-produced chicken after revelations that chicken sold under the Denny label did not come from Ireland.

Video: See inside this 246ac farm with horse walker, 7-bedroom house and €2.3m guide 

Rarely does a farm this quality and size come on the market, according to Quinn Property, who are offering a 246ac residential farm for sale outside Enniscorthy.

Farmers to protest at Denny plant using foreign meat to make 'made in Wicklow' chicken 

Poultry farmers are today protesting outside the Kerry Foods plant in Wicklow that produces its Denny slow cooked ‘made in Wicklow’ chicken.

Farmers warned to 'lock up' diesel after spate of fuel thefts 

Famers and local business owners are being advised to secure their fuel tanks, after a spate of thefts of diesel from premises. 

Quarter of farmers still facing a fodder deficit on their farms 

A quarter of farmers say they have insufficient fodder on their farms, according to the Teagasc Fodder Survey.

EU support of Irish Brexit 'situation' depends on money in the kitty 

Reports that the European Commission has agreed compensation for Irish farmers of a collapse in prices, has been dismissed by senior EU officials.

Families face more uncertainty as Fair Deal scheme delayed 

Farm families face months of continued uncertainty around the Fair Deal scheme as legislation which is expected to reduce the burden of nursing home fees may not be approved until the autumn.

Ding dong over Denny chicken that's 'made in Wicklow' but hails from Brazil 

Hundreds of consumers have voiced their anger online over Irish food labelling laws that allow Brazilian chicken to be labelled as 'made in Wicklow'.

Claims by Brexiteers that WTO tariffs won't apply for 10 years rubbished by legal expert 

Recent claims by a Brexiteer that WTO tariffs would not apply for 10 years in the case of a no-deal Brexit have been rubbished by a leading WTO legal expert.

Farmers face targets not quotas to reduce emissions as Ireland faces €5.5bn in fines - Bruton 

Farmers will face targets not quotas to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, according to Richard Bruton.

New TAMS items can't be added unless others are dropped - Minister  

There is very little opportunity to add new items, such as underpasses, to the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), according to the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed. 

Margaret Donnelly: 'Leo tries to squash the beef - but talk of emission cuts hard to stomach' 

A week is a lifetime in politics, they say, and a lot has changed in the past three years for the IFA.

'We have to hold our nerve,' Taoiseach tells farmers as they reveal fears over 'no deal' 

Irish beef farmers are facing a cliff edge as a no-deal Brexit looms, they told both the Minister for Agriculture and the Taoiseach at the Irish Farmers' Association AGM.

Leo can eat what he likes, but he needs to be a Taoiseach of all Ireland, not just Dublin - Joe Healy 

The Taoiseach can eat what he wants, but he must be a Taoiseach for all of Ireland, not just Dublin, according to IFA President Joe Healy.

CAP should be used to fund genuine farmers, not Larry Goodman, Coolmore or Sheiks - IFA President 

Sheikh Mohammad, Coolmore Stud, Larry Goodman and their likes are not ‘genuine farmers’, according to IFA President Joe Healy, who said CAP funding should go to genuine farmers.

Government will always protect farmers: Varadkar 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will tell farmers today at the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) AGM that his Government will always protect them when it comes to Brexit.

Ditch the frying pan, juicer and 'brunettes', says new food guide 

New healthy eating guidelines are urging us to ditch the frying pan - and stew, steam, bake and boil instead.

Three agri-food companies named by EPA for failing to meet environmental standards 

Three agri-food companies have been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to meet environmental standards.

'Alarming' that only 8 food companies approved for Brexit loan scheme funding 

Only eight food companies have been approved for Brexit loan scheme funding announced in October 2017, according to Fianna Fail spokesperson on Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

Scrap subsidies for farmers, scientific journal declares 

Subsidies for beef and dairy farmers should be scrapped and farmers and big food producers should be treated the same as "Big Tobacco", a leading scientific journal has claimed.

Margaret Donnelly: 'Yes, God made a farmer - but the so-called experts could undo that' 

Back in 2013, a US truck manufacturer ran a hugely successful and thought provoking commercial during the Super Bowl.

Gardaí recover body of missing farmer in river 

The body of a missing farmer has been recovered from a river in Co Roscommon.

‘We were doing a lot right with beef but it still wasn’t working’ 

When James Murphy's son Tom said he wanted to come home and farm, the IFA stalwart was thrilled.

Beef plan group looks for apology after IFA officer claims its leaders want cheap 'West of Ireland' stores 

The Beef Plan Movement is looking for an apology from IFA after Padraig Joyce, IFA Connacht Regional Chairman, said the organisation was set up by 'large farmers in Meath a lot of whom expect to buy cheap stores from the West'.

Plan to breed cows that produce more milk - and burp less methane 

Ground-breaking research could give dairy farmers new tools to breed cows that produce more milk, but reduce their methane emissions.

MEPs urge countries to increase checks on live exports, but no further ban 

The EU and its member states must enforce existing rules on protecting transported animals better and penalise all offenders, the Agriculture Committee has said.

Margaret Donnelly: 'Varadkar facing a grilling by farmers over meat, Brexit and rural unrest' 

Next Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will address the Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) AGM. It's pretty standard for the Taoiseach of the day to address the largest farming organisation, but given the last few weeks, it will be interesting to see the appetite farmers have for Leo this time around.

Ploughing ahead - farmland sells for new record of €1m 

Farmland in County Limerick has been sold for a record €1m.

Majority of small food businesses have taken Brexit precautions, but 50pc of trade still goes to UK 

Over 73pc of small food and drink businesses have taken precautions around Brexit, they are still hugely reliant on the UK for exports, the latest figures show.

New legislation set to protect farmers from claims by hillwalkers 

Farmers will be protected from claims by hillwalkers under new legislation, the Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring has said.

Vets slam Department of Agriculture's response to Bexit - where are the extra 300 vet jobs? 

The Veterinary Officers Association has said it is becoming increasingly alarmed with the Department of Agriculture's response to the impending Brexit crisis and questioned where the 300 extra veterinary jobs announced by the Taoiseach are.

Could once-a-day milking work on your dairy farm? 

Teagasc is not promoting once-a-day milking for every farmer in the country, but it is a system that can work and is already working for some, according to Brian Hilliard of Teagasc.

'Taking on calves from Jersey and Kiwi-cross herds make no financial sense' beef farmers told 

ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham has urged beef farmers to cease the practice of rearing New Zealand influenced dairy bred calves.

Eating less meat over climate is ‘crazy’, says Healy-Rae 

Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has claimed that avoiding meat to help the climate is "crazy" and has become a "fad".

Farming groups say Lancet report fails to recognise carbon efficient production in Ireland 

Responding to the report published by The Lancet calling for an overhaul of dietary advice to include a reduction of 90pc in meat consumption has been strongly criticised by farming organisations.

Beef Plan Movement looking to raise €2m to produce and market own beef 

The Beef Plan Movement is looking to set up its own co-ops to handle the slaughtering of cattle and market its own beef products.

'Call it panic or what not....but we saw the word superlevy and decided not to milk the cows' 

There are just 70 dairy farmers milking once a day in Ireland at the moment, but over 200 possible converts turned up to the Teagasc seminar on once-a-day milking.

'I had a very nice Hereford steak last night' - says Varadkar under fire for cutting back on meat comments 

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said today that he enjoyed a nice Hereford steak last night, as he continues to come under fire for his comments about cutting back on eating meat.

Dairygold offers suppliers a 0.15c/L bonus - if they participate in milk recording and herd health programme 

Dairygold has announced that it is introducing a new milk supplier sustainabilty bonus, based on farmers milk recording and join a herd health programme..

Vets to vote on agreement to end work to rule in factories 

A deal has been reached that is expected to end the work to rule by vets in meat factories, after weeks of disruption.

Farm fatalities down 40pc, but agriculture still has the most work-related deaths 

Figures issued by the Health and Safety Authority show a 23pc decline in work related fatalities in 2018.

Non-compliant carcase trimming cases revealed todate may 'only be tip of iceberg' - Beef Plan group 

The 19 cases of non-compliant carcase trim specification revealed so far may only be the tip of the iceberg, according to the Beef Plan Movement, which is calling for farmer representatives to be allowed factory access to supervise.

Vet factory row set to escalate amid fears more animals won't be slaughtered 

There are fears that increased numbers of pigs will be turned away from meat factories this week as the row between Veterinary Ireland and the Department of Agriculture continues.

Calls for Minister to detail potential EU supports for Irish farmers facing no-deal Brexit 

The IFA has called on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to bring forward more detail in relation to his comments about EU aid in the event of a hard Brexit.

First Global Dairy Trade of the year sees another boost 

The first Global Dairy Trade of the year has seen prices - the third lift in succession.

Meat factories turning away animals as vets' work to rule continues 

Some meat factories are facing major disruptions as they begin killing again and a work to rule by Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) continues.

Number of people hospitalised after incident in St Luke's 

A number of people have been hospitalised after an incident in a ward at Saint Luke's Hospital in Dublin.

Department announces over €20m in overseas aid 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed has announced funding totalling €21.87m for two UN agencies, the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Calls for more housing and insurance supports for returning emigrants 

More can be done to assist returning emigrants including housing and insurance supports, according to Limerick Fine Gael TD Tom Neville.

Work to rule by vets is 'undermining normal processing activity' 

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) the body representative for meat factories has said an ongoing dispute between Veterinary Ireland and the Department of Agriculture is undermining processing activity.

Margaret Donnelly: 'UK crashing out would be a real hammer blow to rural Ireland' 

The Irish agri-food sector faces a 'catastrophic' jolt to its very being if a no-deal Brexit happens next March and there is very little it can do to help itself.

Aurivo cuts its November milk price 

Aurivo has become the latest processor to announce its November milk price, cutting it by 1c/L.

Consumer trust and green brand key to growing exports to Asia - new report 

A new report by KPMG has said that for Ireland to continue its growth in exports to Asia, it must ensure consumer trust and grow awareness of its 'green' image.

Live exports up 33pc as EU markets drive demand 

The latest figures around live exports from Ireland show that the number of cattle exported this year is up 33pc.

Shareholders of North Cork and Newtownsandes approve merger 

At separately held SGMs, the shareholders of North Cork Co-operative Creameries (Kanturk, Co. Cork) and Newtownsandes Co-operative (Moyvane, Co. Kerry) have approved the merger of the two Societies, which had been unanimously recommended to members by their respective Boards.

60,000t of skimmed milk powder sold out of intervention for millions less than cost 

The EU sold 60,000t of skimmed milk powder (SMP) this week, for significantly cheaper than it bought the product into intervention.

CAP budget facing more pressure as eastern European farmers protest over 'low' payments 

The CAP budget is coming under more pressure, as eastern European farmers call for increased farm payments.

Minister agrees to name factories found guilty of excess trim 

The Minister for Agriculture has told the IFA that his Department will name factories found guilty of excess trim offences from the New Year .

Ornua directors commit to 'resolving governance matters' at Board level 

After its final board meeting of the year, which was held today, the Directors of Ornua released a statement saying they "recognise governance matters have recently arisen at Board level...all directors have committed themselves..to resolve these matters".

IFA stages sit in at Department, calling on Minister to name factories guilty of excess carcass trim 

The IFA is leading a sit-in protest in the offices of the Minister for Agriculture in Dublin over the refusal of Minister Creed to name the meat factories found guilty of excessively trimming carcases.

Over 800 farmers face rejection from GLAS scheme as nutrient-management plans still outstanding 

Over 800 farmers have yet to submit a nutrient-management plan as part of GLAS 3, with just weeks to the deadline.

55 agri-food companies have received €13m under Brexit loan scheme 

New figures show that 55 agri-food companies have received €12.91m in funding through the Department of Agriculture's Brexit Loan Scheme.

Insufficient amount of organic crops is inhibiting growth of organic dairy and meat sectors 

According to research, the categories with the greatest growth potential in the domestic market are fruit and vegetables, and dairy, but insufficient organic cereals is stopping the growth of organic dairy and meat sectors.

New figures show UK's huge dependence on Ireland for beef 

New figures from Northern Ireland's Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), show how dependant the UK is on Irish beef, but that it has in 2018 increased the level of beef imports from countries outside the EU including South America and New Zealand.

Public consultation on Hen Harriers to open shortly 

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is currently finalising the draft Threat Response Plan for public consultation on pressures facing populations within Special Protection Areas designated for breeding Hen Harriers.

Mart canteen shut down after rodent droppings found by inspectors 

The restaurant in a Co Westmeath mart was recently served with a closure order by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland after rodent droppings were found in the kitchen.

Two more boats for live exports under inspection by Department 

The Department of Agriculture is currently inspecting two further boats for live exports, it has confirmed, as total live export figures for the year are up 30pc.

Ireland ranked worst in Europe for tackling climate action for second year in a row 

IRELAND has been ranked the worst country in Europe on taking action to tackle climate change for the second year in a row.

Irish agri-food exports to China worth €100m, but beef exports only worth €432,000 

Irish agri-food exports to China are currently worth almost €100m, but beef exports for the first eight months of 2018 were only worth €432,000, new figures show.

Six cows killed as farm 'wasn't ready for snow' 

Management and staff on an industry-backed farm were not adequately prepared for Storm Emma, leaving six cattle dead, a new report has found.

Report criticises management and governance at industry-backed Greenfield dairy farm 

Management and staff on the industry-backed Greenfield Farm in Kilkenny were not adequately prepared for Storm Emma that left six cattle dead, a new report has found.

€450m additional feed costs on farms this year is catastrophic - ICMSA 

Advance estimates from the CSO on the output, input and income in agriculture for 2018 show that they had to absorb additional feed costs of €450m this year, have been described by ICMSA as "catastrophic".

For dairy expansion to continue, we need to plant more trees - Teagasc 

For continued expansion of our dairy herd, we need to be planting more trees, the head of Teagasc Gerry Boyle has said.

Farmers hit by weather extremes to see income fall by 15pc 

Farm incomes have been severely hit by this year's extreme weather conditions, State agency Teagasc say.

Average farm incomes declined by 15pc in 2018 but some growth is on the horizon for 2019 - Teagasc 

Farm incomes were severely hit by the weather in 2018, with incomes estimated by Teagasc to be down across most sectors.

Live exports boost as Ireland and Libya agree wide-reaching veterinary certs 

Ireland and Libya has agreed veterinary health certificates for the export of cattle to Libya, removing the need for individual boat-by-boat certification.