User:Timothy o shea

Irish Farmers Association

Irish Framers Association was first founded as NFA which was called National Farmers’ Association in 1955. IFA had a huge celebration in 2015 where it celebrated its 60 Anniversary. A remarkable and milestone achievement as the IFA is the Country’s biggest farming organisation for Irish Farmers Rights, Historically, IFA has very strong voting and lobbying with the Irish Government, they are also very strongly present in Brussels to discuss Farmers issues like Farm schemes, farm subsidies, new and future regulations. Constant meeting take place between the IFA and the EU Commissioner in Brussels on the next (World Trade Agreement).New tariffs including the most important one the last few years being “Brexit”,Brexit is the unknown for Irish Farmers as no one really understands what the complications of Brexit will come out in the future, there will be more new regulations,inspections,tariffs,trade between Ireland and England.Covid 19 has been another pressing issue for the IFA,to make sure there is adequate supplies of Framer produce like Milk,Beef,Cheese etc in shops with all the Covid Lockdowns in Ireland.Covid 19 has had significant topics for the IFA.

History: The Irish Farmers Association headquarters is in Irish Farm Centre, Tim Cullihan is the current president of the IFA.Bluebell, IFA was founded by Juan Nassau Greene on the 6 of January 1955. In Jan 6 1955, there was a huge rally of 2000 farmers gathered in the four provinces Ballroom, Harcourt Street, Dublin. Juan Greene was the first to propose the National Farmers’ Association, the fist elections took place that same May of 1955. 1996 was a millstone for the NFA as they set out a Farmers Rights Campaign. Members of the NFA from all over the Country marched to Dublin where they staged a 21 day sit in on the steps of government buildings.

In 1971, IFA came into formation in 1971 where they built at its headquarters in the new building, Irish Farm Centre, they are still there presently today.IFA supported the 1972 Common Market Referendum, which then included Ireland joining the EEC in 1973. This was a very important move for Irish Farmers in joining the EEC to support Farmers’ Incomes, subsidies, grant for the improvement of farm buildings like new milking parlours etc. This really shaped Irish Framers into the future to secure good price, good markets and to ensure fairness in the European Union. One standout subsidy today is the Single Farm Payment where this payment accounts for nearly 70% of Irish Farmers Income, this gives Framers security to improve their farms, pay bills and to look after their families on the farm, without this payment Irish Farming wouldn’t be profitable. IFA has always been the voice for six decades as Irelands largest Indigenous Industry, IFA is a grass – roots organisation at local, National and EU level, IFA has a very active Voluntary Office structure as well as a professional service to farmers. IFA set up FBD insurance and they also set up Cork Marts for farmers to sell and buy their cattle, they set up IFAC which deals with Irish Framers accounts, inspections, audits, self-assessment and all various Irish Farmers that they need. They set up AGRI – AWARE which dealt with the promotion and the benefits of Irish Farming.

Such lobbying at national and European level would be to improve farm incomes, Single Farm Payment, Farm schemes, food production, new and old inspections, tariffs and regulations to support Irish Farmers into the future, the most popular aspects of IFA are Dairy, Beef, CAP, Cattle, Climate Action, Forestry, Environment and Rural Affairs, Forestry, Debt Support, Legal Advice, Cross Compliance (help with inspections and regulations), Bank Support, Training and Support on and off the Farm. To keep up with modern day technology, IFA have an active APP for farmers to access help from IFA and IFA also have a IFA Facebook page and twitter for farmers to keep up to date with Farming Information.IFA offer their farmer members a range of cost saving packages like Telecom, Energy Bills savings, discounts for travel and car expenses.This package is worth over €1,000 to farm members.

From the the most early stages of IFA, there was always a need to work with England, for the selling and buying of Irish Agricultural Produce,IFA always kept strong links with EEC to support Irish Farmers, the 1970’s and the 1980’s faced a lot of difficulties for Irish Farmers, the first major agreements was in 1989, where Ray McSharry very tough and long negotiations to get a good deal for Irish Farmers, the next protest was in October 1998 where 40,000 farmers gathered at Phoenix Park to support low income farmers, then in 2003, 3,000 farmers also known as Tractorcade came to Dublin to highlight low income for farmers and a very bad budget for farmers, Another protest followed that was the cheap beef from Brazil, the IFA have always been at the forefront of Irish Farmers to support and defend them. The main point of all of this was to keep the live trade to maintain the income for Irish Farmers. Another huge part of the IFA is climate control, this is becoming a very big political and European issue for Irish Farmers as all European Countries try to bring down their Carbon Emissions to meet the highest standards for the EU.

Vision: For over 60 years of looking after Irish Farmers, IFA have always the best intentions of Irish Farming at hand. IFA have always and will always defend Irish Farming and to make sure that Irish Produce is one of the best in the world that meets all the standards that are required by the EU.This will ensure the survival of Irish Farming into the future and to secure the farm incomes also.

The Campaigns of the IFA

1.     C A P

2.     Pre Budget Submissions

3.     Climate Action

4.     Farm Safety Hub

5.     Brexit

6.     Covid 19

7.     TB

8.     European Green Deal

9.     Manifestos for the European

10.PGI

Farm Schemes

1)     Single Farm Payment

2)     Greening

3)     Young Farmers Reserve

4)     Glas Scheme

5)     Areas of Natural Constraint

6)     BDGT

7)     BEAM scheme

8)     TAMS

9)     Forestry Schemes

10)                       Guides to Farm Inspection,Regulations,Rights

11)                       Farm Scheme Supports

12)                       Organic Farming Schemes

13)                       Dairy and Beef Schemes

Cross Sectors

I.           Cross Sectors

II. Animal Health

III. Farm Business and Consultancy

IV. Farm Safety

V.           Rural Development

VI. Rural Security

VII. Farm Family

VIII. Hill Farming

IX. Organics

X.           SACs

Recent Publications

A.    All IFA Policy Documents

B.     Nitrates Action Plan 2nd Stage Submission

C.     Pre – Budget Submission

D.    IFA CAP Objectives

E.     The Green Credentials of Irish Farming

F.      IFA Milk Price Analysis

G.    Review of Nitrates Action Plan Consultation Submissions

H.    European Commission Recommendations for Ireland’s CAP Plan

I.       Brexit Emergency Plan

J.       Budget Reports

Some Of Our Campaigns

1. C A P

2. Pre Budget Campaign

3. Climate Action

4. Farm Safety Hub

5. Brexit

6. Covid 19

7. European Green Deal

8. Unfair Trading Practices

9. Government Budgets

10.                  European Manifestos https://www.ifa.ie/policy-areas/government-reneges-on-programme-for-government-commitment-on-carbon-tax/

Bibliography

(Accessed at 10.00,29/09/2021 Website, http://www.google/search/ifa )

(Accessed at 11.00,30/09/2021,Website, http:www.wikipediaifa./com