Farmers Markets Invited To Sign Up To Good Code Practice
IRELAND - The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is inviting farmers markets to apply to sign up to the Code of Good Practice for Farmers Markets. Applications may be made up to 31 March 2010.

Viable Returns To Farmers Key To Future World Food Production
IRELAND - Governments worldwide must recognise the positive role that agriculture can play in both food security and climate change mitigation, while at the same time ensuring that appropriate policies are in place to ensure a viable return for farmers,...

Results Of The December 2009 Agricultural Survey
NORTHERN IRELAND, UK - The results of the December 2009 survey of farms in Northern Ireland were released on yesterday (25 February) by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

IFA Urges Beef Companies To Raise Prices To Producers
IRELAND - The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) says beef factories are pursuing a strategy of short-term gain and long term loss, and squeezing winter finishers too hard.

Factories Must Move On Price And Price Grid Issues
IRELAND - The meat factories must move urgently to resolve a number of issues for farmers selling cattle under the Quality Payment system, according to Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President John Bryan.

Payments Under The 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme
IRELAND - Payments have commenced under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payments of €40 per cow will continue on a rolling basis in respect of the 2009 born calves, as additional animals become eligible.

Approval Of Revised Rural Development Programme
IRELAND - Ireland's revised Rural Development Programme (RDP) has been approved by the EU Rural Development Management Committee earlier this week. It includes a new agri-environment scheme as well as a number of new on-farm investment schemes.

Report On Dioxin Contamination Incident
IRELAND - The report of the Inter-Agency Review Group, established to examine the dioxin contamination incident, which occurred at the end of 2008and published yesterday (19 Janaury)found inadequacy of the feed business operators safety management system...

Ireland's Export Growth Set To Resume In 2010
IRELAND - The outlook for Ireland's food sector is improving, according to Bord Bia.

Irish Cattle Supplies Lower in 2009
IRELAND - For the year 2009, Irish cattle supplies at export meat plants fell by more than four per cent to 1.525 million head, according to Peter Duggan, Strategic Information Services, Bord Bia.

The Need For A Better Functioning Food Supply Chain
IRELAND - The EC Commission's very timely communication on a better functioning food supply chain in Europe has been welcomed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith.

Mixed Prospects For Farming In 2010
IRELAND - The average farm income in Ireland in 2009 is estimated to have declined by 30 per cent to €12,000 per farm, the lowest income since 1999. However, delegates at the Teagasc Outlook Conference 2010 – “Economics of Agriculture” which took place...

€190 Million Confirmed Under FWMS
IRELAND - Payment of €190 million has been authorised in respect of the second tranche of grant payments of 40 per cent under the Farm Waste Management Scheme (FWMS). Payments will commence this week.

Discussions Intensify On New CAP
IRELAND - The Common Agricultural Policy will undergo significant change from 2013, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith. He called on all relevant Irish interests to engage actively and realistically in the discussions...

Bovine TB Scheme Plans ‘Unworkable’
IRELAND - Proposed changes to the bovine TB eradication scheme have been described by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) as "a minefield of bureaucracy".

REPS And Farm Waste Management Payments
IRELAND - Payments under Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) 4 have commenced with over €33 million been issued to farmers in the last week or so.

€1.185M Funding For Animal Welfare Organisations
IRELAND - Payments totalling €1.185m have been approved to 112 organisations involved in the direct delivery of animal care and welfare services to assist with their work during 2010.

The New Quality Payments System
IRELAND - Last week Republic of Ireland (ROI) factories announced a new Quality Payment Scheme (QPS) which has been based on a carcase dissection study carried out at Teagasc Beef Research Centre at Grange. The QPS has the full support of Irish Farmer’s...

Demand Holding For Quality And Slaughter Cattle
IRELAND - The trade for store cattle remains difficult, however the demand for good quality lots and for cattle fit for slaughter is strong.

The Worst Farming Year Since 1973
IRELAND - Poor commodity prices, unfavourable exchange rates and dreadful weather conditions have resulted in a severe income crisis for the farming community, as Irish farm incomes are down 30 per cent, according to first official estimates from Ireland's...