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In recent weeks Macra na Feirme has engaged in a nationwide consultation with its members on the topic of rural housing and planning.   The preliminary findings from this consultation have highlighted three major issues with rural housing and planning namely, lack of consistency across local authorities both in terms of planning requirements and cost associated with planning, delays in planning approval relating to minor aesthetic features and divergences relating to the implementation of local area plans.   In light of the pandemic and the associated evolution in working arrangements, attendees also highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure in rural areas is comparable with services in larger urban settings.   Issues such as...

Macra na Feirme will be part of the Irish delegation attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) next week in Glasgow. COP26 is considered the last-chance to secure agreement on making the necessary changes to emissions in order to limit climate change to a 1.5 degree increase.   The Conference begins this weekend with world leaders gathering to negotiate and make commitments to deliver on the needs to address the climate change challenge.  Young people across Ireland are acutely aware of the need for action in relation to climate change, the message from Irish young farmers and rural youth is clear, we need policies to...

Macra na Feirme has responded to the release of the carbon budgets on Monday 25 October 2021.   To quote Charles Stuart Parnell “no man has the right to say to his country – thus far shalt thou go and no further.”  The carbon budgets were submitted to the government on Monday by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC).  Macra na Feirme feels that the carbon budgets will affect every aspect of young farmers lives, both personal and professional, for decades to come.   The CCAC admits in their report that there will be lower agriculture outputs, incomes and a reduction in employment as a result of a reduction in bovine agricultural activity.  “Young...

Macra na Feirme has laid out its priorities for Budget 2022 which will lead directly to a stronger more progressive agricultural sector and a more progressive rural environment for young people to live and work. The focus is on both taxation and funding measures that will yield the greatest returns for young farmers. Macra na Feirme is also calling on government to honour their programme for government commitment in ensuring free access to contraception for women and girls aged 17-25. “Macra na Feirme members want to see positive change in this country and that change starts by investing in young...