Intent: To thank Minister of State for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine for taking the time recently to engage with IFA at the recent IFA Aquaculture AGM (20th March 2025) - his continued engagement with the Irish Aquaculture sector since taking office earlier this year is recognised.::To highlight that there are several issues restricting the Irish Aquaculture sector from achieving its potential.::To highlight that the sustainable development of Aquaculture is a shared competence between the EU Commission and Member States – Member States have the ability to set ambitions for their sector with the support of the EU Commission.::To seek a meeting with the Minister of State to discuss how best to work together to unlock the potential for the sustainable development of Irish Aquaculture.::To discuss several issues relating to Aquaculture licensing renewals, including completion of appropriate assessments as part of the licensing process, and the knock-on effect impacting the grant aid eligibili
Details: Aquaculture Licencing Renewals & Grant Aid
Intent: Inform and share perspectives from a Stakeholder (fisher) point of view - update re key challenges and resilience issues ::Input into Marine Spatial Planning and Developer Led Projects as well as DMAP process::Increase awareness at Policy Level re need for Stakeholder Consultation re Third Country Fishery Access Agreements ::Increased focus on Marine Imperatives, Ambitions and deliverables in line with the current Programme for Government::Appraise policy makers re spatial squeeze impacts on Seafood Sector re ORE developments phase 1::Exchange perspectives regarding the CFP evaluation and Review stages
Details: Engagement with Minister for State and DAFM TEAM re National Strategic issues pertaining to Marine Policy and to focus on achieving national objectives in Programme for Govat
AS ABOVEAlso meeting with Marine Survey Office re Marine compliance related issuesAlso ongoing correspondence with MEP s - MeetingAS ABOVEAlso ongoing correspondence with MEP s re EU Policy relating to CFP and CMO - Virtual MeetingAS ABOVEAlso ongoing correspondence with MEP s - Email
Intent: Secure a level playing field and enhance awareness of sustainability issues for the Irish Seafood Sector
Details: Third Country Access and Key elements of the CFP evaluation process and CMO - and exchange of views re the Implementation Process and Delegated Acts relating to the New Fisheries Contrl Regulation
Briefing MEP s re Fisheries Matters and key issues at Fisheries Council - Informal communicationMeeting Minister and Officials.Ongoing engagement with Control AgencyMeetings with DECC re ORE process - MeetingPress articles re key issues relating to Seafood Sector - Social Media
Intent: To oppose the introduction of any mandatory restrictions on peat soils. The Ministers must defer any implementation of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC -2) in 2025 and ensure that the upcoming EU Simplification Package no longer makes GAEC-2 a condition of receiving Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payments.
Intent: To invite Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine with special responsibility for Fisheries to the IFA Aquaculture AGM and conference 2025.
Intent: To discuss with the Minister implementation of outstanding CAP Conditionality GAEC-2 Standard from January 1st 2025. To discuss further and tease out concerns with the Minister before he ultimately makes a decision how best to proceed.::That a position from the Minister is needed urgently, pre- Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) applications, to allow farmers to ultimately choose if they wished to include all lands for BISS (& therein GAEC-2 requirements where relevant).::To highlight to the Minister that implementation of GAEC-2 from January 1st is now a legal requirement. Derogation secured for 2023 and 2024 was not available for 2025, with formal letter received from Commission in December 2024 clearly rejecting calls for same.::To highlight that Ireland is the only remaining Member State not to have implemented / submitted detail re GAEC-2 implementation and run risk of significant financial penalty (estimated 10% of overall BISS or up to €100m) which would be borne by
Details: Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2
Intent: To highlight the difficulties facing the Irish Aquaculture Sector.::Supports for the Aquaculture Sector::– Current difficulties facing the sector are not sustainable for Irish Aquaculture operators and some businesses will no longer be profitable unless there are significant supports during this time of crisis to assist the sector. IFA Aquaculture are calling on the Minister to consider funding mechanisms to assist Irish Aquaculture operators affected by significant production losses coupled increasing input costs and reduction on sales for aquaculture businesses::There are specific issues across all sectors namely recent losses in the salmon sector due to biological challenges (Loss of €4m worth of Salmon in Inver Bay, Donegal – Oct 2024).::Reduction in sales and market issues in the oyster sector as well as recent storm damage in Clew Bay amounting to €150k in damages and product losses, and significant mortality in Dungarvan Bay in Summer 2024 due to potential Karenia bloom resulted
