 IFA President John Bryan said he was hopeful that progress could be made on a range of issues following a constructive meeting with the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, where the IFA delegation highlighted the importance of competitiveness to achieving growth. He welcomed the Minister's commitment not to undermine the significant potential of the sector by the imposition of excessive and unnecessary environmental restrictions and costs. John Bryan said, "Our sustainable, low-carbon model of food production must be fully recognised when environmental legislation is drawn up. The export growth and expansion targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 cannot be thrown off course by regulatory burdens that impose extra costs on farmers. Farmers have made a significant investment of over €2bn through the Farm Waste Management Scheme, which is having a positive impact on the environment and water quality. This must be taken into consideration as part of any review of regulations." The Climate Change Chairman Jer Bergin said, "The Government's approach to climate change negotiations must ensure that our grass-based system receives the credit for operating in an emission-efficient way. Minister Hogan's undertaking to ensure greater dialogue in advance of any future proposals is an essential element in reaching an outcome that safeguards the growth opportunities in the agri-food sector." At the meeting with Minister Hogan, IFA National Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman Pat Farrell highlighted unresolved issues regarding the EPA. He welcomed the Minister's commitment to review the issues raised, especially in the context of improving competitiveness, especially for the pigs and poultry sectors. Mr Farrell told the Minister IFA was strongly opposed to any new legislation on septic tanks that would impose additional costs on rural households, and that would prevent farm families from living in the countryside. On inspections, the Minister re-affirmed to the deputy President Eddie Downey his commitment to the existing protocol where the Department of Agriculture is the lead authority for on-farm inspections, and promised to contact County Councils to instruct them to eliminate any duplication. At the meeting Minister Hogan committed to review the Department's policy on tackling the scourge of litter in the countryside. IFA is looking for Section 6 (2) of the Litter Pollution Act, which criminalises farmers for the reckless dumping by passing motorists, to be removed. In light of the increasing problem, it is time to review the penalties imposed on the perpetrators of illegal dumping and put stronger deterrents in place. IFA sought a change to the hedge cutting season, to commence on August 1st each year. This will bring Ireland into line with other European countries, improve safety on rural roads, benefit visiting tourists and improve competitiveness. On planning, IFA raised the difficulties that farm families encounter when applying for planning permission to build on the family farm, and the lack of representation of rural concerns at An Bord Pleanala level. IFA presented its Rural Response Strategy to severe weather conditions, which aims to keep rural communities open for business and able to access services during spells of freezing weather. The Minister recognised the valuable role that walkways play in tourism activity in rural areas and in generating an additional source of income for farmers. On Leader funding, Minister Hogan committed to addressing the obstacles that have held up funding for food producers. IFA MEETS ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PHIL HOGAN l-r Gerry Gunning, Rural Development Executive, Environment Chairman Pat Farrell, South Leinster Vice-President Jer Bergin, Deputy President Eddie Downey, Minister Phil Hogan, IFA President John Bryan, General Secretary Pat Smith and Environment Secretary Thomas Ryan. |
Wednesday, 06 July 2011 18:29