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Macra na Feirme President John Keane has said that its young farmers across the country are extremely angry and disappointed that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are actively pursuing a land exit scheme for dairy farmers. Minister for Agriculture, Food and The Marine Charlie McConalogue confirmed today to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Climate Action that he would introduce an exit scheme for dairy farmers in 2024. Under the proposals seen by Macra the land that would enter this scheme would no longer be available for use to breed animals. Mr. Keane said "this...

Macra are happy to announce that at the close of nominations at 5pm on 01 March 2023, we have received one nomination for the role of Macra President for the term 2023-2025. As there is one candidate for Macra President, there will be no Macra Presidential election in 2023. The one nominee that we received is Ms Elaine Houlihan, Elaine is from Athlacca, Co. Limerick with her home club being Kilmallock Macra. Elaine, who is a physiotherapist, comes from a beef enterprise and family run agricultural engineering business. Elaine is the current Munster Vice-President within Macra and she will be...

Commenting on the creation of the Gresham House Irish Forestry Fund with Coillte and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Liam Hanrahan, Chairman of Macra’s Agricultural Affairs committee said this is not the correct approach for the expansion of forestry in Ireland and it will have a negative impact on generational renewal and access to land for young farmers. The lack of generational renewal is the biggest treat to Irish agriculture and “the consequences of an English investment fund putting further pressures on an already highly inflated land market will have major consequences for land mobility and access to land for...

At Macra’s National Conference which was held on the 29th of October this year, Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie Mc Conalogue gave a commitment to increasing the support for the Land Mobility Service subject to a submission by Macra, as to what was required to support and develop the service. Land access remains one of the biggest barriers to young people who want to start and access farming as a career opportunity. Macra national president John Keane said “his organisation submitted a detailed proposal that would see the service develop and have national coverage to assist farm...

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...