Where do you want Agriculture to Feature on Manifesto's

foundation10

Just would like to see what are people looking to seeking from the political parties and their commitment to Agriculture over the medium term.

I would like to see the following:

View on agriculture and vision for ag. over next 10 years to include defining their export led strategy for agricultural produce

Continuation of support scheme's (to active farmers only) including incentive schemes trageted towards production efficiency rather than compliance scheme's.

An overhaul of the administration side of things for farmers and especially within the Department of Ag.

Detailed analysis on costings and spend figures for Department of Ag over next 5 years.

reilig

In favour of all the above. I would like to see them set out a specific strategy for Rural development that would be specific to agricultural produce or land. It would need to be something that would be open to the ordinary person/farmer. A lot of funding is currently drawn from the EU through the likes of Leader and I feel that it could be spent in a way that would benefit farmers much more than it currently does. Right now only a select few benefit from the funding. I think a lot more could benefit if the right projects were developed.

Muckit

Hi

I agree with both posters, but foundation10 I'd have to have a good look at what crtieria would be used to determine that efficiency.

I'm sure you's agree a farmer in the west on marginal land couldn't be bundled in along with farmers on top class land say in meath. I personally believe that there are alot of broad figures being bandied about in Irish farming publications around this whole topic, setting unrealistic hopes and targets for farmers who find themselves farming less than favourable land. This in turn has forced them to start over compensating with meal feeding. If we continue down that road, the Irish beef sector is finished. For we're trying to do things like on the Continent or US, only we've to buy meals in, which is VERY expensive.

I too foundation10 would place great emphasis on the way our Irish beef is to be marketed. I think we should do it OUR way, not try to produce our beef like the rest of Europe/US. He who dares wins....

As Reilg pointed out, there is alot of leader funding there too at our disposal that not many people know about. I feel this could be better focused on 'farm to fork' enterprises and 'added value' products.

foundation10

Muckit wrote: »

Hi


I'm sure you's agree a farmer in the west on marginal land couldn't be bundled in along with farmers on top class land say in meath. I personally believe that there are alot of broad figures being bandied about in Irish farming publications around this whole topic, setting unrealistic hopes and targets for farmers who find themselves farming less than favourable land. This in turn has forced them to start over compensating with meal feeding. If we continue down that road, the Irish beef sector is finished. For we're trying to do things like on the Continent or US, only we've to buy meals in, which is VERY expensive.

I can relate to this as I am one of these farmers, what I was trying to get at was more a move a way from the type of support measure associated with say the FWMS which was in essence a compliance supported measure and look at say schemes say for example improvements in the suckler herd breeding, directing/educating farmers towards investments which will produce what the market requires. I want to see enthusiastic measures taken otherwise we all farmers will be left another decade behind the rest of europe. We do need the additional supports in the west such as disadvantaged area scheme's and AEOS/REPS but the failures of these in the past has been to reward the farmer who did nothing to the determinent of the active farmer.

Dozer1

Re-opening the young farmers grant scheme, In my local area there are only about 4 lads under 50 still farming in both dairy and beef and the land is good enough quality.

Also like previous posts how our prime beef product is market really bugs the sh*t out of me, we're a green island and that's how we should be seen not just sellers of cheap cuts to supply the bottom shelf of retail outlets in Europe.

Efficiency has to be pushed also, even though I'm only part time I believe there has to be an incentive to push ourselves to produce a consistently good product.

adne

Any one know what the manifesto for agriculture is with the various parties...
I looked up websites of labour and fine gael but they gave no indication. I know where the Green Lads stand without looking......

reilig

Muckit wrote: »

As Reilg pointed out, there is alot of leader funding there too at our disposal that not many people know about. I feel this could be better focused on 'farm to fork' enterprises and 'added value' products.

The point that i was trying to make was that our country gets several million euro every year in Leader funding but none of the leader money seems to go to benefit farmers in my area. While there are a few agricultural tourism projects funded in my area - and I agree with that, you seem to have to be a "green eco-warrior tree hugger" (no offence to anyone) with off the wall and bizzare business plans to establish businesses that will only benefit off the wall green green eco-warrior tree huggers".

Farmers in our county are not encouraged to develop ideas and use the leader grants. There is no consultative or planning process at their level in order to encourage them to avail of it. A simple and proper plan at government level could bring a lot more people with ideas into the leader program and subsequently see more employment in rural areas.

Muckit

reilig wrote: »

you seem to have to be a "green eco-warrior tree hugger" (no offence to anyone) with off the wall and bizzare business plans to establish businesses that will only benefit off the wall green green eco-warrior tree huggers".

I don't know if that's entirely true now!

Having tried unsuccessfully myself to apply for leader funding for a NON farming related project (I'm involved with S Olympics), I think they require proposals to have a 'benefiting/helping the local community' slant.

reilig

Muckit wrote: »

I don't know if that's entirely true now!

Having tried unsuccessfully myself to apply for leader funding for a NON farming related project (I'm involved with S Olympics), I think they require proposals to have a 'benefiting/helping the local community' slant.

I should have said "in my area".

I have been involved in 1 or 2 applications in the past. Local Leader programme (at the time) really stressed the diversity aspect of the projects that they were willing to fund. The more diverse it was, the more chance you had of getting funding. Try telling that to a farmer who is applying for a grant.

ihatetractors

1/ whats the deal with Mercursor, they've being eyeing EU for years....
2/Give incentives to younger farmers,
3/Get Teagasc back working, are they simply the man to fill out my SFP forms or do they actualy do research??, currently we have a Agronomist/Accountant/Advisor type guy and dnt bother with Teagasc as no fault of the lower down men, but they seem... ineffective
4/Dis band/merge BordBia etc, Make it clear whats Rep of Ireland and N Ireland Not just 'Irish'. Market Rep of Ireland goods as premium, not cheap over discounted muck abroad
5/More logical, less red tap/ More efficient Dept of AG. On our fourth bout of one rented field because the numpties computer cant register a double ditch, which neither we use/owner own or neighbour ever claimed for

5live

ihatetractors wrote: »

1/ whats the deal with Mercursor, they've being eyeing EU for years....
2/Give incentives to younger farmers,
3/Get Teagasc back working, are they simply the man to fill out my SFP forms or do they actualy do research??, currently we have a Agronomist/Accountant/Advisor type guy and dnt bother with Teagasc as no fault of the lower down men, but they seem... ineffective
4/Dis band/merge BordBia etc, Make it clear whats Rep of Ireland and N Ireland Not just 'Irish'. Market Rep of Ireland goods as premium, not cheap over discounted muck abroad
5/More logical, less red tap/ More efficient Dept of AG. On our fourth bout of one rented field because the numpties computer cant register a double ditch, which neither we use/owner own or neighbour ever claimed for

+1. Short and sweet just like myself;). Vote Ihatetractors no1 for TD