IFA Aquaculture Conference 2020

IFA Aquaculture recently held its Annual General Meeting online for the first time this Thursday 22^nd October with over 60 members in attendance.

While usual practice of convening an AGM was not possible this year, IFA Aquculture proceeded with the first online AGM for members with the meeting being addressed by IFA President, Tim Cullinan and Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Along with the usual AGM business, there were also presentations on IFA’s Employment Service , as well as a markets trends update from BIM and Bord Bia.

Minister Charlie McConalogue T.D., announced the introduction of the Covid-19 financial support scheme for rope mussel and oyster farmers funded by the Department’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-20, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

The scheme has been announced almost 6 months since the EU Commission amended regulations to allow Member States to redirect available EMFF funds in response to the Covid-19 crisis and numerous submissions and representations by IFA Aquaculture seeking adoption of these urgent measures in order to prevent the COVID-19 emergency from having irreversible negative impacts on the normal operation of Irish aquaculture, particularly the shellfish sector.

As well as Minister McConalogue’s announcement of the Covid-19 Aquaculture Support Scheme he also engaged with members, took questions, and addressed the aquaculture licensing review, ongoing progress to address the backlog of finfish licence renewals and gave his commitment to the sustainable development of Irish aquaculture with increased stakeholder engagement.

Presentations that were given on the day can be found below.

Presentations

Click on the cover images below to see the full presentations.

IFA Aquaculture AGM

Teresa Morrissey, IFA

Market Activity & Trends

Richard Donnelly, BIM.

Bord Bia Services to the Aquaculture Sector