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A delegation from Macra have met in Brussels today (Wednesday, 30th November) with Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, organised and facilitated by MEP Colm Markey. The Macra delegation led by President John Keane consists of up to 30 representatives from across the country who will spend the next three days in Brussels meeting with political representatives on the issues that are affecting young people. The Macra delegation discussed issues with Commissioner McGuinness such as: Financing of the Green Deal Providing increased financial support for young farmers The future transportation of animals in the EU Carbon Farming Framework Financial supports for SME’s Impact...

Macra are calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to intervene in Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group impasse. Macra national president John Keane, said “Macra has the same objections with Beef and Sheep Food Vision report as it has with the Dairy Food Vision report, these are namely: No succession pathways for youth into the sector Measures to reduce production on farm Removing opportunity from the sector Lack of committed funding Unrealistic expectations for uptake of certain measures Previously Macra rejected a number of proposals in The Food Vision Dairy Groups final report that...

The Interim Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group report that has been sent to the Minister contains within it a measure that proposes to reduce the suckler herd in Ireland. Measure 8 entitled 'Voluntary Diversification Scheme’ seeks to cease farmers from having breeding ruminants on their holding for a contracted period of time. “Macra has engaged extensively with both Food Vision Groups, the Minister himself referred to our extensive submissions that we have made to both groups at our National Conference at the weekend” said Macra President, John Keane. Macra’s contributions across both Food Vision Groups have been consistent, we...

At Macra’s annual conference last weekend the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine told members in attendance that the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine will shortly announce a scheme that will support farmers who are commonly referred to as the ‘Forgotten Farmers’. Macra President John Keane welcomed the announcement and commended the Minister for bringing forward a set of criteria to provide funding for this cohort of farmers. “For over a decade Macra has been actively involved in discussion and has made countless submissions in relation to the forgotten farmers, it is something that has been on our...

Over the coming weeks and months MACRA through its mental health programme ‘Make The Moove’ will deliver tailored specific training to students in Agricultural Colleges across the country. The training is funded by Mental Health Ireland and supported and facilitated by Teagasc, and will run on a pilot basis between now and Christmas. “This training programme has been developed in conjunction with Mental Health Ireland and informed by the issues identified by young rural people as affecting their mental wellbeing. The issues identified included, financial pressures, succession on farm, social media and also the negative perception of farming in the general...