Changes to ANC payments to be discussed at special meeting in Leitrim
A special meeting is being held in Carrick-on-Shannon over the ongoing concerns in the North West about changes to ANC designations and payments. It comes as the Fianna Fail Agriculture spokesperson – Donegal TD Charlie McConologue has issued a press release today saying the payments need to be restored to…
Bird flu outbreak has potential to ‘decimate’ local economies
The growth of the poultry industry is under serious threat as a result of the Bird Flu. The Department of the Environment has a regulation in place since the end of December for all birds to be housed indoors as a result of the H5N8 strain of this flu which…
Concerns over site where silt is to be dumped in Donegal Bay
Fish-farmers in the south Donegal area say a new site must be found to dump silt as part work on the extension of the Harbour in Killybegs. The Department of Agriculture wants to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for a licence to dump almost 100,000 tonnes of silt from…
Farmers to meet TDs about impact of potential changes to ANC scheme
Farmers in Sligo and Leitrim are to meet local TDs next week to outline how any potential removal of marginalised land from the new ANC scheme will impact their income and livelihoods. Now known as Areas of Natural Constraint, the former disadvantaged area scheme effectively subsidises those who farm on…
IFA dairy chairman calls for increases in milk prices for farmers
The first Global Dairy Trade auction of 2017 saw a decrease in the average price of milk products but IFA National Dairy Chairman Sean O’Leary says there should still be milk price increases for Irish dairy farmers. Sean O’Leary says milk output is continuing to decrease globally but demand is…
Tractors to converge on Manorhamilton for New Year’s Day charity event
Tens of tractors will converge on the North Leitrim town of Manorhamilton on New Year’s Day for the annual IFA tractorcade. Starting from the mart at 2pm, it will raise funds for Our Lady’s Day Hospital. It’s hoped the event will raise enough money to buy two pressure-relieving chairs for…
Sligo IFA say it’s unlikely farmers will receive GLAS payments before Christmas
The County Sligo IFA rural development chairman has called on the Minister for Agriculture to honour promises of payment of money to farmers under the GLAS scheme. Eddie Davitt says farmers had hoped to receive money before Christmas but this now seemed unlikely. And he says a lot of these…