The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have officially lodged an opposition to the current Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) application for Irish Grass fed Beef. Speaking on the matter the INHFA President Colm O’Donnell stated that "we were left with no choice in the matter because of the lack of consultation and dabate on the application with Suckler Farmers who see this grass fed PGI as a threat to their Naturally Reared product and as being driven by Processors and the Dairy Industry."

The INHFA leader continued by stating " I have requested that Minister Mc Conalogue reconvene the Beef Market Taskforce without delay to have a meaningful debate surrounding this PGI application . We have to find a resolution to this official dispute lodged by the INHFA to the Taskforce where we feel that the Taskforce Agreement is in danger of reneging on its commitment to the development proposition of a Suckler Brand".
The development of a Suckler brand will be virtually impossible to deliver from within the Taskforce if the vast majority of all Irish beef comes under the PGI and this must now become a top priority for implementation by the Taskforce to preserve its integrity.

The farm leader concluded by saying that "during our pre budget talks with the Minister for Agriculture, the INHFA have asked for 4 million euros to be specifically channeled to deliver on this Taskforce commitment to develop a Suckler brand".

In their meeting with Ministers McConologue and Hackett the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers outlined the need for the ongoing development of our suckler and sheep sectors which are critical assets throughout rural Ireland.

After what was a very positive meeting National President Colm O’Donnell outlined how the points made by the INHFA delegation were well received by the Ministers who he maintains “understand the vital role of these sectors both inside and outside agriculture.”

With regard to our suckler sector O’Donnell stressed the need for a marketing campaign to highlight and develop the suckler beef brand. This he maintains will require “the rebranding of our naturally reared suckler beef to recognise the unique farming system that prioritises high animal welfare over quantity, an animal reared in nature by their mother and produced with a low or carbon neutral footprint. In our budget proposals we detail the need for €4m to be made available to Bord Bia to develop a naturally reared beef brand.”

In acknowledging how the development of a new brand and markets for it will take time the INHFA President outlined the need for direct support to be available for this sector. In our budget proposals we have continued O’Donnell “sought the delivery of a suckler cow scheme similar to BEEP 2 that pays €200 on the first 10 cows with a digressive payment on the remainder. Payment will be based on farmers completing specific tasks similar to the current BEEP. The budget required will be €160m which is an increase of €73m on this year’s supports which are currently delivered through BEEP (€35m) and BDGP (€52m).”

At a meeting between the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan, the farm lobby group strongly advised the new Minister to put on the Green Jersey and battle hard on behalf of Irish Farmers to resist further EU Land designations, proposed in the Commissions Biodiversity Strategy .

The INHFA President Colm O’Donnell outlined to the Minister that the Biodiversity Strategy has indicated that criteria and guidance for the Designation process for additional lands including a definition for Strict Protection is due to be lodged with the EU commission before the end of 2020. The INHFA President reiterated that his organisation will fight tooth and nail against this happening.

The farm leader stated "that the current Natura 2000 land designations is a failed policy and pointed to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) reporting to the Commission. They have reported that a very high percentage of the wildlife species and habitats are in decline since the Nature Directives were introduced twenty years ago".

"At our meeting with Minister Noonan", continued O Donnell, "we asked him to consider incentives to promote Biodiversity at farm level rather than imposing further designations and Strict Protection criteria on farmland and onto farmers who are extremely worried that they may lose the ability and freedom to farm their lands".

Correspondence issued by the Department to farmers this week detailing their TB Herd History Risk Statements may leave the State open to legal challenge according to the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association.

In outlining details on this National President Colm O’Donnell questioned “how animals that passed a test a number of years ago and continue to do so ever since can now deemed a high risk for TB. Where does this leave the State approved testing programme.”

Over the last number of days farmers have stated O’Donnell “being contacting our office confused and angry at the contents of these letters which we understand is replicated with farm advisors and public representatives across the country.”

There is he continued an urgent need for the Minister to intervene with his Department and provide legal clarity on the value of the current testing programme and the following points

• Who was involved in the decision-making process?
• As these reports will have a major impact on all farmers and especially those dependent on trading of stock, what consideration was given to the impact of these reports and was legal opinion got before any final consideration
• How many farmers have been advised to cull stock and how many cattle does this involve?
• In relation to the advice on culling stock. What consideration has been given to the impact this will have on the market place.
• In the last number of years there has been calls to reduce the national herd in order to help deliver on our climate change targets. Was this a consideration in the recommendations to cull stock
• When farmers are selling stock in marts will their herd details relating to their TB status be reflected on the notice board. If so, what impact will this have on the stock value and is this in compliance with GDPR.
• Has the Department considered the legal implications for the State in advising farmers to cull stock a number of years after a Department approved test gave that farmer the all-clear
• For farmers with a single reactor animal that subsequently tested negative when slaughtered. Do these TB Statements still list this herd as having a TB outbreak?

In answering these questions, O’Donnell expressed the hope that the Department will see how ill-advised this is and withdraw the letters. In addition to this it may he stated “ensure the Department don’t just look at issues from an administrative viewpoint but also consider how actions such as these impact on farmers.”

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have welcomed the appointment of Donegal's Charlie McConalogue as the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Following a specially convened virtual meeting of the association's National Council last night, the INHFA President Colm O’Donnell stated that" there is a huge sense of goodwill amongst our membership for both Mr. Mc Conalogue and his family and we wish him the very best on his new appointment. The INHFA looks forward to building a good working relationship with the Minister over the coming years".

"I have requested an early meeting with the Minister" continued O Donnell, "to present him with the INHFA pre budget submission and outline key priorities and concerns on behalf of our members and their farm families. Among those priorities are, that Minister McConalogue strives to become the Minister representing all sectors within Agriculture and that his duty of care extends equally to ensure the sustainability of all farmers, whether they be from the Golden Vale or the Top of the Mountain. "

Concluding, the farm leader pointed out that Minister McConalogue is well aware of the INHFA position on a number of issues having attended numerous events held by the INHFA in his previous position as opposition spokesperson on Agriculture, particularly regarding;

• Our concerns surrounding the proposals in the EU Biodiversity Strategy to designate additional land,
• The critical need to provide additional direct supports for Suckler Cows by way of a front loaded welfare type scheme,
• Building on the success of the sheep welfare scheme with increased payments ,
• The fairer redistribution of Cap payments,
• Our worries surrounding the proposed wording of GAEC 2 regarding appropriate protection of carbon rich soils,
• A well funded environmental scheme that's tailored to the needs of different types of farming including all farmers currently without a scheme available to them.