Irish GM Potato Testing Gets Green Light

Posted on July 31, 2012 by admin

Ireland is proceeding to test a genetically modified potato, but is making certain that the public understands that it is doing so to make sure it’s safe for the environment and so that anti-GM activists will seem less threatened by a public research project that is not associated with the biotechnology industry establishment.

Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, was awarded a license by the EPA to proceed with field research into a GM potato that could resist potato blight, a disease that was responsible of the infamous potato famines in the country. The research is expected to take place over the next four years to determine what environmental impacts the potato could have on Irish agriculture.

Complaints Of ‘Ad Hoc’ Environmental Analysis Of Harvest 2020

Posted on July 16, 2012 by admin

The EU Commission is set to look into complaints that have been made about the agri-industry’s Food Harvest 2020 expansion plan.

Fifteen Irish environmental groups complained to the commission that only an ‘ad hoc’ analysis of the environmental impact of the strategies set forward in the Harvest 2020 programme.

Under the plan, milk and pig-meat production will be increase by 50%, beef and sheep by 20%, poultry production by 10% and fish farming by 78% by 2020.

The groups say that such increases in production could have profound effects for their regions and increase Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.

They also pointed out that Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, who is chairing the implementation committee for the plan, has failed to look into this matter even though he is legally required to do so by EU directives on the process.

A spokesman for the groups said it was “ridiculous” to form a strategy with no legally-structured regard to environmental issues and measures to “prevent, reduce and offset any significant adverse effects on the environment”.

The groups involved are An Taisce, Bat Conservation Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland, Coastwatch Europe, Feasta, Friends of the Earth, Friends of the Irish Environment, Forest Friends, Global Action Plan, Hedgelaying Association of Ireland, Irish Doctors Environmental Association, Irish Wildlife Trust, Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Just Forests and the Organic Centre.

€50m Into Irish Dairy Farming With Foreign Investment

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

A group of foreign financiers are said to be ready of investing up to €50m in the Irish dairy production sector.

Top agri-investor Jim McCarthy has been asked to carry out a feasibility study on behalf of the group.

He declined to comment on the nationality of the investors and told the Farming Independent that the group had a track record of investing around the globe, to the tune of €300-€400m.

It is believed that joint-ownership arrangements, where the investors would own 49% of the farm business and the farmer would retain 51%, would be part of the investment strategy.

Mr McCarthy was at pains to point out that his research on behalf of the investors was in the very early stages.

“They just want to know if it would be feasible and what barriers or restrictions could be in the way if they wanted to invest in Ireland,” he said.

Read the full article on Independent.ie

Small Business Show: Bachelors & Farmers

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Conn Ó Muíneacháin

Small Business Show [ 18:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Will Humphries of Bachelor Magazine joins us to review the week’s business news. Bachelor Magazine, he explains, started as a blog and has grown to something much bigger, with 9 writers covering topics such as Motoring, Food, Technology fashion and more. Their new initiative is called Pay it Forward, where they cover small businesses who then nominate others for coverage.

Stories covered in this week’s podcast include: Independence for Shannon Airport; 9% VAT to be retained; SFA vs. Farmers; and AIB’s €250m agri-investment package.

The Small Business Show is broadcast each weekend in syndication on Irish radio. Items from the show are published as podcasts throughout the week on FocuSMEIreland.com. You can subscribe for free to download the MP3s automatically using RSS or iTunes.

This podcast is sponsored by mailpak.ie – Custom design, print & mail service

AIB Announces €250m Agri-Business Investment Programme

Posted on May 8, 2012 by admin

AIB today announces the launch of a €250 million Agri Investment Programme as part of its effort to entice the ever expanding industry. This fund is available to help all existing or potential customers in this sector to plan for their future business needs.This initiative is an element of AIB’s Big Drive for Small Business.

The Agri Investment Programme comprises three elements: €100 million for on-farm capital investment, €100 million for working capital and €50 million for asset finance.

1. The €100 million on-farm capital investment component priced competitively at 4.40% per annum, variable, will be available to farmers who require funding to facilitate farm expansion or upgrading initiatives

2. The €100 million working capital component is designed to assist the management of seasonal funding requirements e.g. purchase of seed, feed and fertiliser.

3. €50 million asset finance component; AIB has forged relationships with many of the major equipment and machinery suppliers in Ireland and now has a dedicated fund which can be used for hire purchase, equipment lease and farm vehicle lease.

AIB Chief Executive, David Duffy said:“Today’s announcement represents a major boost for Irish farming and demonstrates AIB’s commitment to assisting the Agri-sector develop its enormous potential.

“The provision of an investment programme of significant scale at this time is very appropriate in that it will facilitate investment in line with the Government’s Harvest 2020 Strategy allowing farmers to more fully exploit the opportunities that lie ahead.”

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