Charles O'Donnell

6 days ago | agriland.ie | Charles O'Donnell

A member of the Seanad is calling for a change in local government policy to allow elected councillors have the final say in any land acquisitions by their respective county councils. Senator Victor Boyhan has said he wants to see property acquisition by councils classed as a ‘reserve function’, i.e. a decision which is solely the prerogative of the elected councillors, rather than the council chief executive or other officers.

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Charles O'Donnell

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced the opening of a new measure to support the formation and establishment of producer organisations (POs) in the agri-food sector. The Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisations (ESSPO) scheme is a multi-annual measure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Charles O'Donnell

EU member states have given their backing to a proposal from the European Commission to reduce the protection status of wolves from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ in an effort to protect livestock in countries with wolf populations. The commission proposed changes to the Habitats Directive early last month that, it said, would give flexibility to member states in managing their local wolf populations, so that they can take measures that are adapted to regional circumstances.

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Charles O'Donnell

Kerry Dairy Ireland has confirmed its price to farmer suppliers for milk supplied in March. The processor said today (Wednesday, April 16) that its price for March milk supplies will be 51.43c/L, including VAT and quality and sustainability bonuses. This compares to a figure of 52.47c/L announced last month for February milk supplies, which was inclusive of a base-price top-up of 1c/L.

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Charles O'Donnell

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has told the Organic Strategy Forum that there are “opportunities for growth” in the organic tillage sector. He as was speaking at a meeting of the forum today (Wednesday, April 16) at the headquarters of milling company Flahavan’s, in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. Minister Heydon said: “The organic tillage sector is a real success story for Irish farming families.