Intent: The message from rural Ireland is clear: those delivering the work—Agricultural and Forestry Contractors—must be part of the solution. Their inclusion in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2028 and beyond will drive climate progress, strengthen rural economies, and ensure a fairer future. FCI would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss how this can be structured effectively.
Details: Inclusion of Agricultural and Forestry Contractors under TAMS and the 2028 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
The message from rural Ireland is clear: those delivering the work—Agricultural and Forestry Contractors—must be part of the solution. Their inclusion in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2028 and beyond will drive climate progress, strengthen rural economies, and ensure a fairer future. FCI would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss how this can be structured effectively. - Email
Intent: Request for Meeting and Proposal: Inclusion of Operational Machinery Drivers on Critical Skills List - and to propose a pathway to remedy this via inclusion of “operational drivers for contracting & forestry machinery” in the Critical Skills Occupation List for skilled workers.Under the following topics 1. Nature of the Challenge, 2. Proposed Solution: Critical Skills Inclusion, 3. Requesting for Meeting & Next steps, 4. Why this matters now,.
Details: Request for Meeting and Proposal: Inclusion of Operational Machinery Drivers on Critical Skills List
Intent: Submission from the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) – to put a National Contingency Plan in place to allow for an extension of the period for slurry spreading from October 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025 due to ongoing grass growth
Details: Submission fro FCI to put a National Contingency Plan in place to allow Slurry Spreading
ubmission from the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) – to put a National Contingency Plan in place to allow for an extension of the period for slurry spreading from October 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025 due to ongoing grass growth - Email
Intent: To brief the minister on the IrBEA small biogas demonstration EIP project outcomes including policy, practical and technical learnings from the project and to lobby the Minister for the introduction of a minimum 50% capital grant from the Government for the development of this size and scale of farm-scale biogas facility on Irish farms to improve farm incomes and also to reduce farm emissions.
Details: Visit by Minister Martin Heydon T.D. and other elected representatives to view the farm-scale biogas plant, developed on an organic dairy farm at Dunmore Co. Galway. This farm-scale biogas plant was developed as a demonstration plant under the recently completed Irish Bioenergy Association, Small Sc, ...
Intent: To propose the retention of Flat Rate Addition scheme (FRA) for all agricultural sectors.::To propose the implementation of a 0% VAT rate on non-oral animal medicines and vaccines as early as possible.::To propose that the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) is extended to facilitate additional investment in slurry storage and equipment on farms. Accelerated capital allowances for animal health monitoring systems, automatic calf feeders, additional milking points and hoof-care equipment are needed.::To propose Zero VAT / Accelerated capital allowances for investments to improve on-farm efficiency and/or support transition to net zero emissions.::To propose the Accelerated Capital Allowance for farm safety equipment is positive and should be revised annually and extended to include new safety equipment.::To highlight that VAT is currently charged on Carbon Tax. This is double taxation and needs to be removed.::To propose that the reduced excise duty level on agri diesel must be maintai
Intent: To emphasise that the Department of Agriculture must be more proactive in identifying potential supply issues of vaccines at an early stage and intervene to avoid a situation like we are facing now where farmers may not be able to protect their herd from a potentially very harmful disease.::To highlight that the availability of vaccines when needed is critical for farmers in protecting and maintaining the health, welfare and productivity of our animals while reducing antibiotic usage.::To emphasise that these vaccines are too important to animal and human health; there cannot be situations where these vaccines become unavailable to farmers.