Blog Categories
Entries matching the category "common%20agriculture%20policy"
ACT NOW OR PUT YOUNG FARMERS AT RISK
Posted on April 19, 2010 by Alan Kelly
17/04/10 Munster MEP Alan Kelly addressing the Labour Party National Conference at NUI Galway.
I took the opportunity during the Labour Party National Conference at NUI Galway, to highlight the grave situation facing farmers if the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is not addressed now.
The clock is counting down towards 2013, and with every minute that passes, the situation for Irish farmers becomes more critical.
Agriculture is at the very core of rural life in Ireland and CAP 2013 is critical to ensuring future generations of farmers do not turn their backs on the industry.
We must encourage young farmers to get involved and provide them with a viable career path in farming.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Alan Kelly MEP • Labour • North Tipperary • CAP 2013 • Common Agriculture Policy • Ireland • farming
FARMERS VULNERABLE TO MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
Posted on June 21, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I am calling for a greater support system to be made available to farmers after a new study found that 57% of Irish farmers surveyed would not want others to know if they had a mental health problem
The results were found in the ‘Public Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems’ survey, commissioned for the new mental health stigma and discrimination reduction campaign, See Change.
These figures indicate there is a still a very real stigma attached to mental health issues among Irish males and in particular those working in the agriculture sector.
For too long, Irish men have been afraid to discuss mental health, choosing to keep it behind closed doors.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Health • Alan Kelly • Labour • MEP • Farmers • mental health • stigma • See Change • survey • rural • agriculture
CAP CONFERENCE IGNITES DEBATE
Posted on April 06, 2010 by Alan Kelly
Pictured at the "Crisis or Opportunity" Seminar to discuss the rural economy and the effect of future changes in CAP at Tipperary Institute, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, yesterday, (l to r): John Byran, IFA National President;Marc Tarabella,MEP; Alan Kelly MEP;Labour Party Leader, Eamon Gilmore; Sean Sherlock TD and Mark Cropper, EU Commission.
97% of farmers believe that CAP is of major or vital importance to Irish agriculture but over 90% of them also believe the future of CAP will have a negative impact. That’s according to results of a survey I carried out ahead of the first CAP conference.
I revealed the survey results at the “Future of CAP, Crisis or Opportunity for Rural Ireland” conference which took place on Friday, March 26th at the Tipperary Institute, Thurles.
The conference, the first of its kind in Ireland saw attendees from all across Ireland gather at the Tipperary venue to hear speakers including Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore and IFA President, John Bryan, discuss the future of CAP for Irish farmers.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture
Crisis or Opportunity? - CAP Conference 2010
Posted on March 12, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I am hosting a conference entitled "Crisis or Opportunity? The future of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Rural Economy". It will take place on Friday, March 26th at 10.00am in the Tipperary Institute's Thurles Campus situated on the Nenagh road.
Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore will address the conference, along with the Labour Party Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food,
Sean Sherlock TD, IFA President John Bryan, ICMSA Vice President Eddie O’Callaghan, Dr Cathal O'Donoghue, Head of the Rural Economy Research Centre at
Teagasc, MEP’s and Representatives from the EU Commission.
The panel of experts from Europe and Ireland will discuss the future of the CAP and its implications for Ireland.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture
EU Competition Commissioner Needs to Investigate Supermarkets Activities
Posted on February 15, 2010 by Alan Kelly
Following recent media reports about the use of "hello money" and "placing money" by supermarkets on suppliers, I am calling on both the European Commission and the Irish Competition Authority to investigate allegations that Irish suppliers are being asked to pay sums of up to €500,000 in order to have their products stocked in Tesco stores.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • alan kelly • food • agriculture • competition
Calling for a Ban on Brazilian Beef in Europe
Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly
This week, I spoke in the European Parliament calling for a ban on the importation of Brazilian beef into the EU. There have been growing concerns over the Brazilian beef’s safety. Not alone that but Irish farmers deserve to be rewarded for their high standards and excellent quality beef. It’s totally unfair that they have to compete with beef that is not produced to the same standard and imported from Brazil. These farmers go through all regulatory controls as set down by Europe so all other beef should do the same. Consumers must also be protected from potentially diseased beef.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Consumer Affairs • Brazilian Beef • EU Commission Food and Veterinary Office Report
300m Support For Dairy Farmers Not Enough
Posted on October 22, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Today I voted to increase the dairly support fund for EU dairy farmers from 300m to 600m. The parliament voted in favour of the 300m but alas did not agree to the doubling of this. This was despite the fact that the parliament had previoulst argued that such a figure was necessary. The Labour Party MEPs voted for the 600m but unfortunately the FG and FF MEPs voted against it, which I believe is unfortunate as it was in the best interests of Irish farmers.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • farming • dairy • milk crisis • alan kelly mep • agriculture
Visit to Ploughing Championships
Posted on September 24, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Yesterday I spent the day at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co. Kildare with my party leader, Eamon Gilmore and fellow labour representatives.
It struck me see the huge number of farmers and agri-business sector workers I met and spoke to who are totally disillusioned by the current government and their plans to cut vital agriculture schemes.
As a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee in the European Parliament, I especially can identify with the severe degree of suffering endured by those in the Irish farming industry. The anger and frustration that is being caused to these hard-working people is just unacceptable.
Thankfully Irish farmers have an option to challenge some of the difficulties facing the farming sector – the Lisbon Treaty.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture
