News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Hopes Irish wool brand can help raise prices at farm gate

Stakeholders across Ireland are working collaboratively to establish an Irish wool brand mark to create additional value for the product across the industry.

Ireland • 4 hrs

The IFA and the group representing co-ops are taking part in the protest

Farming groups protest in Dublin over CAP proposals

Around 50 farmers took part in a demonstration outside the European Commission offices in Dublin, to warn against stripping away the CAP budget in favour of a single-fund approach to the EU budget.

Ireland • 20 May

Levels of bovine tuberculosis on Irish farms have risen significantly in recent years (file pic)

Dept proposes number of measures to tackle bovine TB

More information on a herd's risk category, mandatory blood testing in larger herds, and pre-movement testing are among the fresh measures proposed by the Government to better prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Agriculture • 08 May

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen said failure to increase CAP funding could lead to €250 billion shortfall for farmers

Govt pushing for 'straightforward measures' in CAP talks

Measures to ensure a more straightforward and flexible system are among the priorities for the Irish Government while negotiating the EU's next Common Agricultural Policy.

Ireland • 06 May

The order was introduced in February due to the heightened risk of bird flu, but will be revoked on 10 May

Poultry order issued over bird flu risk to be lifted

The Department of Agriculture has announced it is lifting the compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds that was in place due to the risk of avian influenza, or bird flu.

Ireland • 29 Apr

Businesses like Kerrygold have been frontloading deliveries to the US

US tariffs still hurting EU despite pause on 20% rate

EU-based companies selling into the United States breathed a collective sigh of relief when the White House announced a 90-day delay on the implementation of a 20% tariff on imports coming from the single market.

Analysis and Comment • 21 Apr

The price of lamb has jumped by around a third in the past two years

Easter lamb off menu for some sellers due to price rises

It is a traditional staple of Easter dinner, but this year some sellers are not stocking lamb due to a spike in price - saying consumers are not willing to pay more for the product.

Ireland • 19 Apr

Rapeseed oil retail sales reached €24.7m in Ireland last year

Oilseed rape crop increases across Ireland due to demand

Global supply constraints on sunflower oil and a spike in the price of olive oil have meant home-produced rapeseed oil has become more common on Irish supermarket shelves.

Ireland • 16 Apr

Marian Clarke, manager of Doon Social Farm in Co Limerick, said soil depletion has been an issue for some time

Initiative aims to bring life back to soil in midwest

A new EU initiative to try and bring life back to Ireland's depleted soil and improve the quality of food is being championed in counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

Munster • 14 Apr

The IFA said delays in payments are causing hardship to farmers

'Progress' over delayed ACRES payments to farmers - dept

The Department of Agriculture has said progress is being made to clear a backlog of payments due to farmers under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme initiative that incentivises them to improve biodiversity on their lands.

Ireland • 28 Mar

The Environmental Protection Agency says flood management is a problem in Ireland

Ireland needs adviser on climate change adaption - study

Ireland needs a Commissioner for Long-Term Thinking to advise on adapting to climate change. That is one of the recommendations from a report compiled for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Climate Change • 20 Mar

In the last year, wholesale dairy production costs have risen by nearly a fifth

Dairy farmers can 'no longer absorb' cost, raising prices

Dairy farmers say they can no longer absorb a significant spike in the cost of production of milk products, and that consumers will have to accept rising prices for the likes of milk, cheese, and butter.

Agribusiness • 18 Mar

If Ireland's nitrates derogation is lowered, farmers would have to take additional measures, like culling cows

Govt outlines plan to secure nitrates derogation renewal

The Government has outlined the steps it intends to take to secure a renewal of the nitrates derogation for Irish farmers for next year.

Agriculture • 07 Mar

Health checks were carried out at livestock marts and agri-events around the country (Stock image)

Health check shows elevated blood pressure in farmers

A pilot health check initiative for farmers has found that nearly half of those who took part presented with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Ireland • 05 Mar

All free range birds must be brought indoors for the duration of the order (Stock image)

Housing order to protect poultry from bird flu in effect

A housing order has come into effect from today for poultry flocks and captive birds to protect them from avian influenza.

Ireland • 17 Feb

The Low Emissions Slurry Spreading process involves using advanced equipment that applies slurry more precisely and closer to the soil surface

Fewer emissions, better efficiency from slurry spreading

Newer more environmentally friendly methods of spreading slurry are having a significant impact on greenhouse emissions, water quality, and the odour previously given off by the process.

Ireland • 14 Feb

All free range birds must be brought indoors for the duration of the order

Poultry order over flu risk should be taken 'seriously'

A compulsory housing order for poultry will come into effect from next Monday after several avian influenza cases were detected in wild birds across Ireland.

Ireland • 13 Feb

Denis Drennan said power-line management needed to change in the wake of Storm Éowyn

Farmers can help maintain trees near power lines - ICMSA

The head of one of Ireland's main farming groups has proposed that basic maintenance of hedgerows and trees overhanging power and communications cabling should be contracted out to trained local farmers.

Ireland • 07 Feb

Agriculture can support environment, says EU Commissioner

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen has told Irish farmers that he wants farming to be sustainable economically as well as environmentally.

Ireland • 23 Jan

Farmers were making progress on meeting emissions targets, Francie Gorman said, but said a proper balance needed to be found

Reducing emissions by cutting farm production 'sabotage'

The Irish Farmers Association has said that seeking to reduce environmental emissions by cutting farm production, would amount to "national sabotage".

Ireland • 22 Jan

A case of H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in a buzzard in Co Galway (File image)

Third bird flu case detected in Ireland since December

A third case of avian influenza has been detected in Ireland since the Minister for Agriculture introduced new strict biosecurity regulations for poultry on 6 December 2024.

Ireland • 20 Jan

A petting farm in Schoeneiche near Berlin is cordoned off over foot and mouth disease

UK bans import of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany

The UK has banned imports of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

UK • 14 Jan

A case of H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in a buzzard in Co Galway (stock image)

New measures to reduce risk of bird flu announced

New enhanced measures to improve biosecurity and reduce the risk of the spread of bird flu to Irish poultry have been announced by the Department of Agriculture.

Ireland • 05 Dec 24

Farmers at Ballinasloe Mart in Co Galway shared their concerns ahead of polling day

Farmers share key priorities ahead of Election 24

With days to go before the General Election, farmers at marts in east Galway shared the issues that matter most to them before casting their votes.

Election 24 • 26 Nov 24

Calves on a transport truck, destined eventually for Israel

Calls to end live animal exports after RTÉ investigation

The ISCPA has appealed to the Government to end the practice of live animal exports, saying it damages "the reputation of the country".

Ireland • 09 Oct 24