Intent: Ensure space for nature and biodiversity in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan; amend CAP Strategic Plan with key sustainability measures
Details: Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan as it relates to nature and biodiversity, and how CAP must enable Ireland to deliver on its long-term sustainabilty, biodiversity and climate objectives
Intent: To brief the Ministers and their advisors on Devenish's research work on human health and sustainable agriculture
Details: On Wed 1st September, Owen Brennan, Executive Chair, hosted a visit to our research farm in County Meath of Minister Eamonn Ryan and Minister of State Pippa Hackett and their advisors
Intent: To address Ireland's afforestation activities and plans that are negatively impacting high nature value habitats and the bird species they support
Details: Forestry and afforestation
Intent: To ensure that the Plan addresses the biodiversity, climate and water quality crises on farmland is addressed and that farmers are assisted to transition to sustainable agriculture in line with the carrying capacity of the Irish environment.::To ensure that agri-environment schemes are robust, results based and targeted to restore farmland bird populations especially breeding waders.::To advocate for a plan that targets funds available to support farmers in activities positive for habitats, species, water quality, cuts in emissions.
Details: Ireland's Common Agriculture Policy Strategic Plan
Intent: Ensure awareness of the performance of Ireland's drinks industry for the years 2020 & 2021::Ensure awareness of the impact that Covid-19 has had on the sector
Details: Drinks Ireland Annual Review 2020/21
Intent: Ensure next Agri-Food Strategy 2030 is in line with Ireland's legal obligations and targets under the Paris Agreement, EU Biodiversity Strategy and Farm2Fork Strategy
Details: Agri-food Strategy 2030 as it relates to climate, biodiversity, public participation and forestry
Intent: Request for a meeting with Minister McConalogue to discuss worsening populations of red and amber listed birds of conservation concern and for action to be taken in CAP.::Request for an extension of consultation period for CAP Strategic Plan interventions consultation which was inadequate.::Request to participate in internal Department of Agriculture meetings on new agri-environment scheme to ensure best outcomes for farmland birds and other biodiversity.::Call for strong positions on elements of the Common Agriculture Policy negotiations and in particular on Good Agriculture and Environment Condition 9 and EcoSchemes.::Request that Department of Agriculture would ensure that BirdWatch Ireland farmland bird hotspot mapping informs the CAP Strategic Plan.
Details: Advocacy to ensure a robust CAP that supports farmers to reverse damage caused by agriculture policy & restore wild bird populations and other biodiversity, restore water quality and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Intent: Protection of public participation
Details: SI 293 of 2021 and curtailment of public participation in the forestry licencing process
Intent: We met with the Ministers at the Dept of Agriculture and their special advisors and the Sec Gen to discuss the withdrawal of the Environmental Pillar from the Agrifood Strategy committee and to advocate changes to the draft strategy to ensure that it complied with the PFG commitments re climate action.
Details: The Agrifood Strategy 2030 which was being developed under the chairmanship of Tom Arnold
Intent: To point out that the announcement by Minister Pippa Hackett that the EU has approved an extension of the forestry programme for 2021 will have no real impact unless the licensing backlog is addressed.::To highlight that there are nearly 5,000 licences awaiting approval. Farmers with forestry cannot thin or harvest their timber, and new entrants cannot get a licence to plant.::To highlight that those who went into forestry with the full encouragement of the Government are being blocked from harvesting their crop. Yet the Government keeps issuing press releases telling us how important it is to increase the amount of forestry in the country.::The need for a cost- based planning support grant, as referenced in the Mackinnon report must be introduced.::A fulltime project manager should be appointed to implement Minister Hackett's recommendations on improving administration of forestry in Ireland.::That all applications are dealt with within 8 weeks. The Forestry Act needs to be amended t
Details: Forestry Licensing Crisis
