The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are reminding farmers that 2018 Nitrates Derogation applications can now be submitted on line. The closing date for applications is 20 April 2018.

Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, has issued a strong warning to farmers and their advisors, of the following in relation to agricultural and eligible forestry land which is burnt illegally during the closed season – i.e. 1st March to 31st August:

The Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) has been introduced to Ireland within the past year. This directive will affect all users of Pesticides (Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides etc.). One of SUD’s main aims is to reduce the risk or danger of pesticide use on the environment and consequently on human health. SUD is strongly encouraging the use of Integrated pest management (IPM). SUD will only affect professional users or distributors of pesticides. The four main areas the SUD was categorised is as follows:

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today participated in a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, convened by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the lead Government Department on Severe Weather Incidents.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., made the comments while attending a meeting of the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels.

Speaking in Brussels, Minister Creed said “While we are supportive of the Commissions efforts to better target direct payments, we must be mindful that the agriculture sector differs significantly across Member States in for example average farm size and agro ecological conditions. In that context and in the spirit of subsidiarity envisaged in the European’s Commission’s CAP Communication, Member States should be given the flexibility to decide on how to improve the targeting and fairness of direct payments within their own country”.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., has today announced the opening of the online system for submission of applications to both the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme in 2018. 

Why:  Need to control rodent pests (brown rats and house mice)

• human and animal health; contamination; structural damage; QA compliance

How:  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) EXCLUDE, RESTRICT, SURVEY & MAP, DESTROY, REVIEW, CLEAN UP & MONITOR

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady has welcomed changes to the TAMS scheme, which will allow farmers who have applied for TAMS, and who had put down a deposit before formal approval, to claim the deposit as a legitimate expense in claiming grant aid.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., today announced the opening of the new €25m Hen Harrier Programme under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. The Minister made the announcement on a visit to the farm of Jack Lynch, who farms in the Hen Harrier SPA near Ballyvourney, outside Macroom, Co. Cork.

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD, announced today that the 2017 advance payments for the two main agri-environment schemes are commencing this week.

Andrew Doyle T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture, today announced the opening of the 2018 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

1. Improved Yields and Economic return

1. Management tool for your fertiliser plan

1. Efficient use of fertiliser

1. Indicate the level of P, K and lime in the soil

1. Environmental benefits

1. Micronutrient requirements of the crop

The grants available range between €4,000 and €25,000 and can cover up to 75% of the cost of the works. Eligible applicants for the scheme are chosen on a competitive basis and around 50 to 70 projects will be supported each year. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 24 November 2017