Irish Farmers' Association

23/10/2026

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Must Continue Under next CAP - IFA

IFA President Francie Gorman said he was concerned about some aspects of the latest CAP proposals which are due to be discussed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels next Monday. This meeting will be chaired by Minister Martin Heydon. “Our initial review of the revised draft CAP Regu...

23/10/2026

IFA Animal Health Committee Chair David Hall outlines research carried out for the Department of Agriculture showing that wildlife disturbance associated with major infrastructure projects and forestry clear-felling can increase the risk of TB outbreaks in surrounding herds for up to five years.

IFA is calling for the commitments made under the TB Action Plan to be honoured, with targeted wildlife measures delivered before these works begin, in addition to the Department’s routine wildlife programme.

Watch the full video via the link in bio.

23/10/2026

Refer a Friend – Win a Toyota Hilux! 🚜

Are you an IFA member? Now is the perfect time to invite a friend to join the Irish Farmers’ Association, with both of you in with a chance to win fantastic prizes!

By referring a friend, you could drive away with a Toyota Hilux worth over €50,000, an FBD insurance voucher and a one-year digital and print subscription to the Irish Farmers’ Journal.

✅Enter your details
✅Share it with friends by email, text or WhatsApp
✅When they join IFA, you’re both automatically entered into the prize draw!

Find out more and enter here: ifa.ie/raf

23/10/2026

Overhaul of Fallen Animal Collection System Long Overdue - IFA

IFA Animal Health Chair David Hall said farmers money is not on table for the Department of Agriculture to resolve the dispute with Fallen Animal Collectors.David Hall was commenting following a meeting with the Department of Agriculture yesterday where IFA set out clearly yet again the failures in....

23/10/2026

October Farm Note: Smart Hedgerow Management
October is the ideal time to maintain hedgerows before winter.

Three key actions support biodiversity and align with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan:

1. Apply the one-third rule. Cut only one third of your internal hedges each year. This keeps two-thirds mature and blooming in spring and provides berries for wildlife in winter.

2. Shape into an A profile. Ask your contractor to trim into a wide-based A-shape rather than a tight box.

3. Protect the base margin. Keep your flail or cutter clear of the ground flora at the foot of the hedge and leave a 1.5-metre un-sprayed buffer strip.

IFA is a partner of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030 (www.pollinators.ie).

23/10/2026

IFA engaged directly with elected representatives to highlight the potential impact the proposed cuts to the next CAP could have on Irish farm families and rural Ireland this week.

📉 As things stand, Ireland stands to lose over €2.5bn from our CAP budget, which would mean a cut of 24%.

The key points put to our TDs and Senators were:

🌱 The proposed 24% cut to the CAP budget cannot happen.
🌱 The mechanisms in which that those cuts can be reduced and reversed.
🌱 And the importance of having a framework in place to extend the current CAP programme if there is no agreement.

The Irish Government has characterised their role in the budget talks as being an ‘honest broker’ but we also need them fighting for a strong CAP budget for Irish and European farmers.

IFA signed the CAP Stockholm Declaration in Sweden last week along with other farm leaders from across the EU27, calling for a CAP budget that maintains at least at its current level and adjusted for inflation, with genuinely ring-fenced funding.

The CAP must remain a truly ‘Common’ policy, with its own dedicated and protected budget, if Europe is serious about safeguarding its farming sector and its single market.

22/10/2026

IFA visited Gurteen Agriculture College today, where students got to hear from IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle and Munster Regional Chair Conor O’Leary.

IFA Tipperary North County Chair Liam Coffey and Senior Regional Executive Joe Kelly were also present. It was a great opportunity to discuss the future of farming and hear directly from students.

22/10/2026

The Paddy Fitzgerald Awards night will take place this Sunday, Oct 25th in Adare in Co Limerick.

IFA Munster Regional Chair Conor O’Leary said the Paddy Fitzgerald Awards embody the ethos of volunteerism & the unstinting dedication of people who seek to enhance their local community

“Each of the nine nominees has been chosen by their County Executive & I want to wish all of them well on the night. The cornerstone of IFA’s work is the willingness of farmers to give of their time in representing their fellow farmers. It is only fitting that this should be recognised and I would like to thank FBD for their support for this prestigious event.”

FBD Trust Chairman Michael Berkery said, “Volunteers like the late Paddy Fitzgerald   laid the foundations for the establishment of FBD, an Irish-owned insurance company with deep roots in rural Ireland. Paddy Fitzgerald was an inspirational NFA/IFA farm leader in Munster and a strong advocate of farmer shareholders owning their business beyond the farm gate through co-operatives and was actively involved in collecting the initial share capital that was crucial in the establishment of FBD Insurance.”

“It is fitting and proper that our generation should acknowledge the wonderful legacy we have inherited from the voluntary efforts of Paddy Fitzgerald and his contemporary farm leaders. The Paddy Fitzgerald Awards are an ideal recognition of community volunteerism and FBD is delighted to play our part in supporting the awards established in 1998, and now in their 28th year.”

Martin Stapleton, who is the Chairman of the Trustees, said the Paddy Fitzgerald Awards were an opportunity to celebrate those who put themselves forward on behalf of their neighbours and their communities.

“Every rural community can point to achievements that would not be possible without people stepping up to make it a better place. The Paddy Fitzgerald Awards celebrate those who can say they left their mark.”

The list of nominees can be found in full here: https://www.ifa.ie/farm-sectors/nominees-for-paddy-fitzgerald-awards-2026-announced/

22/10/2026

Reminder: Kildare IFA’s Dairy Meeting takes place tonight, Thursday, October 22nd, at 8pm in The Crookstown Inn, Ballitore, Co. Kildare.

Speakers on the night include Ornua Managing Director of Ingredients Shane Henry and Ornua Director of Communications Jeanne Kelly, who will provide updates on milk markets, dairy policy, Ornua’s performance and future challenges.

All members are welcome to attend.

21/10/2026

IFA National Council and Rural Development Committee members were at Buswells Hotel in Dublin today for our National Lobby Day on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), meeting TDs and Senators.

With EU leaders meeting in Dublin next month, our message was clear. Ireland stands to lose over €2.5bn from its CAP budget, a cut of 24%.

IFA President Francie Gorman said, “Wherever you farm across the EU, the message is the same- the CAP budget has to be resolved”.

EU farmers need €500bn, not the €293bn proposed.

Watch the highlights, then visit ifa.ie/cap to see what your county could lose and to contact your local TDs and MEPs.