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Published 11th July, 2022 Meeting with Jackie Cahill T.D. Macra na Feirme recently met with Deputy Jackie Cahill to highlight a number of issues affecting young farmers and the challenges and opportunities that face young people in the sector. The meeting took place in Dublin, the main topics that were discussed were access to Land for young people and the role that The Land Mobility Service can play in facilitating land transfer to younger people and the assurances needed to secure long term funding for the service. Macra na Feirme representative also highlighted the need for a just transition in...

The Agricultural Affairs committee is a sub-committee of Macra's National Council, made up of National Council Representatives and co-options from the counties and regions across the country and across farming sectors. The Agricultural Affairs committee (2022 - 2023) is led by Liam Hanrahan (chair), Patrick Collins (vice-chair) and Stephanie Blewitt (PRO), who work alongside John Keane, his presidential team and all other committee members to represent Macra members across the country. The Agricultural Affairs committee raise member's concerns to Council, lobby public representatives and form policy documents, with the overarching goal of increasing the number of young people farming and involved in...

Proposals from Beef and Sheep Food-vision group must provide opportunities for young people to enter the sectors Commenting following today’s meeting of The Food Vision Beef and Sheep forum the Macra na Feirme president said “in the context of sustainability which is front and foremost in all discussion in relation to agriculture, it is important to remember that in order for agriculture to sustain we need new people entering the sector to carry it forward.” The Macra president John Keane emphasised how “young people want to go farming but policies here to fore have not been assessed in relation to...

Increase to Young Farmer threshold under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme required The cost of inputs across the entire economy is affecting farm development projects negatively and particularly on farms run by young farmers.  The young farmer president John Keane said “with the costs of many inputs such as steel and concrete along with technology more than doubling in price, young farmers are finding it difficult to develop infrastructure on their farms. It is also the case that many farms are postponing developments because of rising costs which may have more severe management implications next winter.” The solution Keane said “is a...