Grain Committee Campaigns and Activity This Month

IFA Grain Committee is working on a number of key campaigns to improve grain farmers’ incomes and price prospects.

• Aids to Private Storage on barley in Ireland to be pursued immediately due to potential large carryover stocks
• Low interest rate funding for working capital and long-term investments
• Immediate announcement of the TAMS II capital investment grants
• Support from the EU Commissioner for Agriculture for IFA’s submission concentration in the European fertiliser industry
• Action on the control wielded by both Glanbia and Dairygold on the pricing of grain
• A major investment programme on a biomass project that will provide an alternative to cereal growing farms.

Over the last two months, Chairman, Liam Dunne has represented grain farmers at a number of important meetings to pursue these campaigns

Department of Agriculture
The Grain Chairman met with the Department of Agriculture on funding for TAMS for precision farming, cultivation and low disturbance equipment, low ground pressure, grain drying, storage and rolling, rain water harvesting, safety and organic fertiliser storage. Specifications, criteria and timing for applications were also discussed.

A second meeting with the Department of Agriculture focussed on the DFP scheme for 2016. The meeting reviewed 2015 and discussed problems going forward, including flooding and winter kill. Discussion was also held on details of possible changes for 2017.

In Brussels
Liam Dunne attended the Copa-Cogeca Cereals meeting, which discussed the European crop report. He also attended the EU Commission Arable Crop Civil Dialogue group to discuss European Production and export figures and world production and stock figures.

Internal
The Grain Chairman attended a Grain Management Meeting, and updated at the Kildare County Executive, and Executive Council meetings.