NEWS & EVENTS

Importance of milk one of the nine ‘main messages’ from National Healthy Eating Guideline for One to Four Year Olds

2020-10-01

The President of ICMSA has welcomed the publication of the first ever National Healthy Eating Guideline for One to Four Year Olds and the specific reference to milk as one of the nine ‘main messages’ the guideline sets out. Mr. Pat McCormack said that yet again a highly qualified and…

ICMSA appoint new Policy Officer with “cutting edge” research credentials

2020-09-28

ICMSA has announced the appointment of Méabh Dore as Policy Officer and Executive Secretary to both the association’s Livestock Committee and the Farm and Rural Affairs committee. Méabh grew up on the family suckler farm in Shanagolden, County Limerick, and graduated as a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from UCD in…

Farmers reminded of 30 September deadline for Calf Investment Scheme.

2020-09-23

With only approximately 700 claims for payments submitted under the Calf Investment Scheme out of a total of 2,400 applications, the Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm and Rural Affairs Committee has reminded farmers that the closing date for the submission of payments claims is Wednesday, 30th September and to ensure that…

Difference of up to €1000 in August milk cheque for 80 cow-herd between top paying Co-ops and others

2020-09-22

The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee said that he was not sure that everyone appreciated the kind of difference that existed between the top and bottom paying Co-ops and how that translated into what Gerald Quain said was “serious money”. “The ‘Rule of Thumb’ that we’d work off is that…

ICMSA say opportunity to get PGI for 70% of grass-fed Irish Beef “should be siezed”

2020-09-18

Against the background of Covid-19. Brexit and a potential Mercusor agreement, the Irish beef sector has an opportunity to take a positive step forward by submitting a PGI application for Irish Grass Fed Beef under which 70% of Irish beef – including dairy beef – would qualify. But…

ICMSA meet Minister McConalogue and encouraged by his “energy and command of the brief”

2020-09-09

After his first meeting with Minister McConalogue this afternoon, the President of ICMSA said that he was encouraged by the energy that the new Minister seemed intent on bringing to his position and the command of the questions he showed. Pat McCormack said that while it was certain that he…

New Commissioner McGuinness asked to look at “extravagant” interest rates banks charging on farm loans and finance

2020-09-08

The President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack, wished Mairead McGuiness well in her new role as EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union and said that it is absolutely essential that in her new role as Commissioner she plays her part in ensuring the best possible outcome for…

As ANC and BPS payment dates loom, farmers told to check their Agfood accounts for Department contact

2020-09-04

With the payment date for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) only two weeks away and the BPS payment to be made on the 16th October, the Deputy President of ICMSA has called on the Department to issue all outstanding queries so that farmers can respond on time and ensure…

Minister McConalogue told there’s no time for ‘Honeymoon Period’

2020-09-02

The President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack, has welcomed the appointment of Charlie McConalogue to the position of Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and said it would be difficult to overstate the number and importance of the challenges facing the incoming Minister. “I’m afraid I don’t think there can…

ICMSA’s McCormack says farming and food sectors “effectively rudderless”

2020-08-27

The President of ICMSA has said that the Irish priority now must be to retain the Trade Portfolio within the EU Commission and that could only happen if the Government nominates someone with the requisite skill-set and a record of political and negotiating achievement. Mr. Pat McCormack said that there…