IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy has called on Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan to demonstrate that restrictions that are imposed on farmers with designated Natura land are properly compensated for with the reopening of the NPWS Farm Plan scheme which has been closed for some time.

Following a protest today at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today, Minister Josepha Madigan has agreed to meet IFA next week.

Launching the IFA pre-Budget Submission – FARMING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – in Dublin today (Wed), IFA President Joe Healy said a progressive Budget 2020, that supports Irish farmers to develop sustainably is imperative, given the immediate threats and long-term challenges facing the sector.

  IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady has described as unacceptable that the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed is sitting on applications for TAMS grants for farmers who applied in the last tranche of the scheme which closed in early April.