May 10, 2021, 1:59 pm
Teagasc is currently in the process of filling a number of roles within the organisation which all have a communications element, one of which will be focused on outreach and innovation.
Among the promiment roles being recruited for are head of dairy Knowledge Transfer; head of research development and Walsh Scholarships; director of human resources and partner; and regional manager of the Waterford-Kilkenny advisory region.
Agriland understands that an outreach and innovation position which is now available, is a slightly amended role from the role which was previously held by Paul Maher before he was appointed as the new head head of international relations and corporate strategy.
May 7, 2021 9:18 am
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) has condemned a recent document released by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) on modelling future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments.
INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said: “This totally misrepresents the reality that over 72,000 farmers representing almost 60% of all farmers, stand to gain under 100% convergence or full flattening.
“Of these, over half would also gain substantially under the 85% convergence model which the DAFM [has] based this document around.”
DAFM modelling on CAP payments
The modelling exercise focused on payment entitlement unit values under the proposed Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) – the successor to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) – but does not look at any proposed eco-schemes, for which 20% of CAP funds will be ringfenced.
April 12, 2021 5:59 pm
Government must push for a European Council of Ministers proposal on management of peat soils to be withdrawn, according to independent TD Thomas Pringle.
The Donegal TD warned that the EU proposal “could have a serious impact on many farmers’ eligibility for CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] payments”.
Deputy Pringle is supporting the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) call on Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to have the proposal withdrawn.
Commenting, the independent TD said: “The INHFA said the proposal will mean that farmers would be required to carry out actions on these peat soils that would make farming activity impossible.
The organisation representing hill farmers has called for a “comprehensive review” of the Organic Farming Scheme.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) said that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has sought feedback on the current selection criteria for entry to the scheme, but that this alone “won’t be enough”.
The association raised this issue recently with Minister for State for land use and biodiversity Pippa Hackett.
INHFA spokesperson Henry O’Donnell said there was issues with stocking rates, farm size and farm enterprise.
“Currently, the maximum payment rate can only be achieved for livestock farmers if they maintain a minimum stocking rate…with a significantly reduced payment for farmers that don’t achieve this,” O’Donnell said.
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