The new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue will have to hit the ground running, with farm organisations expecting him to get to grips with his brief quickly.
‘Farmers are on the frontline’
\Philip Doyle
IFA president Tim Cullinan
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue must get to grips with his new portfolio quickly, IFA president Tim Cullinan has said.
Cullinan congratulated McConalogue on his appointment and said he looks forward to working with the Donegal man to ensure farmer concerns are taken seriously.
“Michel Barnier’s assessment today to the IIEA was very bleak and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit is a real one. Farmers are in the frontline in terms of a damaging outcome and the Minister has to carry this message at Government and EU level,” Cullinan said.
CAP, Brexit and the new climate bill are urgent and critical issues for farmers and the Government, Cullinan stressed.
“The Minister has to be clear that farming is a commercial activity and that the economic sustainability of farmers is at the centre of the sustainability debate,” the IFA leader said.
‘A degree of stability needed’
Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack
Minister McConalogue cannot be afforded a “honeymoon period”, ICMSA president Pat McCormack said.
“We’ve lost two months as it is and I would suggest that the very first priority has to be introducing a degree of stability and the restoration of some momentum to several of the policies that appear to have drifted in the absence of a Minister,” McCormack said.
Commitment, energy and direction are needed urgently on issues including Brexit, CAP, Mercosur and climate change, McCormack stressed.
‘Sense of urgency needed in the beef taskforce’
\Donal O' Leary
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) president Edmond Phelan
Agriculture has suffered in recent months, with Brexit and CAP reform now the most important issues for the new Minister, ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said.
“Minister McConalogue now needs to get to grips with the pressing issues and make up for lost time,” Phelan said.
Another area which needs attention, according to Phelan, is the Beef Market Taskforce, which is approaching one year in existence.
“Minister McConalogue needs to inject a sense of urgency into the beef taskforce. It has been sidelined for too long and farmers want results now. It must bring about total transparency in the food chain and ensure that neither processor nor retailer can abuse their dominant positions.”
‘Our expectations are high’
\Philip Doyle
Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy
As a Minister coming from a border region, Charlie McConalogue knows the importance of cross-border trade to the Irish agri-economy, Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy has said.
“We look forward to engaging with the Minister to ensure our beef and dairy exports to the UK are protected. It is also clear that the risk of a no-deal Brexit is a real possibility, which is a big concern for young farmers at present.”
Macra has welcomed the announcement of the new Minister for Agriculture with key issues relating to young farmers outstanding on the Donegal man’s desk.
Duffy continued: “As one of the youngest Ministers for Agriculture, our expectations are high for Minister McConalogue. Work on negotiating a new CAP with greater ambition along with the 2030 agri-strategy are key issues highlighted by our members.”
‘Huge sense of goodwill for the minister’
\Brian Farrell
Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) president Colm O’Donnell
Minister McConalogue’s duty of care must extend equally to ensure the sustainability of all farmers, whether from the Golden Vale or the top of the mountain, INHFA president Colm O’Donnell has said.
The association has welcomed the appointment of the new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, following a convened virtual meeting of the association's national council.
O’Donnell said: “There is a huge sense of goodwill for both Minister McConalogue and his family, we wish him the very best on his appointment. We look forward to building a good working relationship with the Minister over the coming years."
The INHFA has requested an early meeting with the Minister to present him with its pre-budget submission.
O’Donnell continued: “Minister McConalogue is well aware of the INHFA position on a number of issues, having attended numerous events held by the INHFA in his previous position as opposition spokesperson on agriculture."
Read more
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No time for ‘honeymoon period’ for Minister McConalogue
Minister must ensure sustainability from Golden Vale to mountain top - INHFA
The new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue will have to hit the ground running, with farm organisations expecting him to get to grips with his brief quickly.
‘Farmers are on the frontline’
\Philip Doyle
IFA president Tim Cullinan
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue must get to grips with his new portfolio quickly, IFA president Tim Cullinan has said.
Cullinan congratulated McConalogue on his appointment and said he looks forward to working with the Donegal man to ensure farmer concerns are taken seriously.
“Michel Barnier’s assessment today to the IIEA was very bleak and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit is a real one. Farmers are in the frontline in terms of a damaging outcome and the Minister has to carry this message at Government and EU level,” Cullinan said.
CAP, Brexit and the new climate bill are urgent and critical issues for farmers and the Government, Cullinan stressed.
“The Minister has to be clear that farming is a commercial activity and that the economic sustainability of farmers is at the centre of the sustainability debate,” the IFA leader said.
‘A degree of stability needed’
Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack
Minister McConalogue cannot be afforded a “honeymoon period”, ICMSA president Pat McCormack said.
“We’ve lost two months as it is and I would suggest that the very first priority has to be introducing a degree of stability and the restoration of some momentum to several of the policies that appear to have drifted in the absence of a Minister,” McCormack said.
Commitment, energy and direction are needed urgently on issues including Brexit, CAP, Mercosur and climate change, McCormack stressed.
‘Sense of urgency needed in the beef taskforce’
\Donal O' Leary
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) president Edmond Phelan
Agriculture has suffered in recent months, with Brexit and CAP reform now the most important issues for the new Minister, ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said.
“Minister McConalogue now needs to get to grips with the pressing issues and make up for lost time,” Phelan said.
Another area which needs attention, according to Phelan, is the Beef Market Taskforce, which is approaching one year in existence.
“Minister McConalogue needs to inject a sense of urgency into the beef taskforce. It has been sidelined for too long and farmers want results now. It must bring about total transparency in the food chain and ensure that neither processor nor retailer can abuse their dominant positions.”
‘Our expectations are high’
\Philip Doyle
Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy
As a Minister coming from a border region, Charlie McConalogue knows the importance of cross-border trade to the Irish agri-economy, Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy has said.
“We look forward to engaging with the Minister to ensure our beef and dairy exports to the UK are protected. It is also clear that the risk of a no-deal Brexit is a real possibility, which is a big concern for young farmers at present.”
Macra has welcomed the announcement of the new Minister for Agriculture with key issues relating to young farmers outstanding on the Donegal man’s desk.
Duffy continued: “As one of the youngest Ministers for Agriculture, our expectations are high for Minister McConalogue. Work on negotiating a new CAP with greater ambition along with the 2030 agri-strategy are key issues highlighted by our members.”
‘Huge sense of goodwill for the minister’
\Brian Farrell
Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) president Colm O’Donnell
Minister McConalogue’s duty of care must extend equally to ensure the sustainability of all farmers, whether from the Golden Vale or the top of the mountain, INHFA president Colm O’Donnell has said.
The association has welcomed the appointment of the new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, following a convened virtual meeting of the association's national council.
O’Donnell said: “There is a huge sense of goodwill for both Minister McConalogue and his family, we wish him the very best on his appointment. We look forward to building a good working relationship with the Minister over the coming years."
The INHFA has requested an early meeting with the Minister to present him with its pre-budget submission.
O’Donnell continued: “Minister McConalogue is well aware of the INHFA position on a number of issues, having attended numerous events held by the INHFA in his previous position as opposition spokesperson on agriculture."
Read more
FII welcomes Minister who is ‘familiar with the crisis’ in forestry
No time for ‘honeymoon period’ for Minister McConalogue
Minister must ensure sustainability from Golden Vale to mountain top - INHFA
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