Killeen Presents 2009 Irish Forestry Awards

Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, presented the 2009 RDS/Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards at a ceremony held in Kilkenny Castle last night.

The Awards recognise and reward farmer foresters and other forest owners who employ the basic principles of Sustainable Forest Management on their properties, including sound commercial management, environmental protection, biodiversity and social amenity. There are two main categories for which awards are presented - the Farm Forestry category and the Bio-Diverse Forest/Woodlands category. There is also a Special Judge's award, which may be made, at the discretion of the judging panel, in recognition of outstanding achievements by individuals within the industry.

The winner of the Farm Forestry category in 2009 was Mr. John O'Connell, Limerick with 2nd place going to Mr. Sean Ronan, Kilkenny and a Merit Award in this category going to Mr. Ambrose Kilcline, Co. Roscommon. Kerry County Council were the winners in the Bio-diverse Forest/Woodland category. 2nd place was awarded to Declan and Yvonne Foley of Sligo, while Merit Awards were presented to Mr. Derek Felton, Dublin and Mr. Vincent Slevin, Mayo. A Special Judges Award was made to Jan Alexander of Cavan, in recognition of the "close to nature methods" that are being applied to her plantation and also because of her contribution to Irish forestry over the years. Jan is chairperson of Pro Silva Ireland and a founding member of CRANN.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State Killeen thanked the RDS for its organisation and promotion of the prestigious awards scheme, in partnership with the Department. He noted that the profile of the awards had increased within the forest industry, since they were first awarded 22 years ago.

Minister of State Killeen highlighted the ongoing and increasing importance of forestry and the need to raise the general awareness of the importance of the sustainable management of Ireland’s forests from a commercial, social and environmental point of view. Presenting the Awards, the Minister of State added: "I would like to congratulate the category winners and hope that the acknowledgement and reward of excellence through these Awards will continue to create awareness of what is required to manage our forests to the highest standards possible and indeed the high standards that can be achieved".

Early Retirement Scheme Funding Deadline Nears

Tony Killeen, Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has reminded farmers that applications for the additional funding recently announced under the Early Retirement Scheme must be submitted by the end of the month.

The provision of extra funding was announced by the Department of Agriculture last month and will allow a number of new applications to be accepted. According to Minister of State Killeen: “The additional funding has been provided with a view to accepting as many as possible of those applications completed or close to completion at the time entry to the scheme was suspended on 14th October 2008. In order to give those who might be eligible for admission to the scheme an opportunity to apply, farmers may submit their applications, accompanied by a lease/deed of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners, to the Early Retirement Section in Johnstown Castle on or before 30th October 2009.”

The Junior Agriculture Minister added: “In processing new applications, the Department will give priority to those applications which have leases/deeds of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners prior to 14th October 2008 and, thereafter, priority will be determined by reference to the date on which the lease/deed of transfer was stamped.”

"Any decision about further reopening the scheme will be taken only in the context of the annual Budget/Estimates process”, Minister of State Killeen concluded.

Department Raises Difficulties In Farming Sector With Banks

Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen has confirmed that the Department of Agriculture met with Irish banks at the weekend to encourage Irish banks to extend normal working capital facilities to farmers.

The meeting between Minister Killeen’s Department, the major banks and the Irish Banking Federation focused on the ongoing credit difficulties being experienced in the farming sector. According to Minister of State Killeen: “The banks recognise the current short-term difficulties faced by farmers and have made it clear that they are open for business. The are, however, encouraging farmers to initiate contact at an early juncture in instances where difficulties with regards to short term financing and sourcing working capital are envisaged.”

He emphasised the difficulties associated with poor weather conditions as well as low prices, particularly in the dairy sector, and said that “farmers require access to higher levels of short and medium term credit facilities to assist in weathering the current storm”.

The Junior Agriculture Minister added: “The Department of Agriculture will persist with its efforts to impress upon and facilitate banks in providing more assistance to their farmer clients at this very difficult time, particularly having regard to low product prices this year. The ongoing discussions with the IBF and the banks with regard to agri-sector issues including credit to farmers represents a significant component of the ongoing Government objective to free up lending on a commercial basis into the economy as a whole.”

It is anticipated that the ongoing discussions between the Department of Agriculture, the IBF and the banks will also compliment the work of the Credit Supply Clearing Group, which was established to identify credit bottlenecks to viable businesses and to seek to identify credit supply solutions. This group includes representatives from the main banks, business interests, including the farming sector, and state agencies.

Dairy Sector To Benefit From High Level Consultative Group

Junior Agriculture Minister and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the announcement by his colleague and Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith regarding the establishment of a consultative group to advise on medium and long term measures for the dairy sector.

The new group is being established following this week’s special meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels where there was a full discussion on the need for measures to manage the dairy market in the period up to quota abolition and beyond. According to Minister of State Killeen: “By availing of the broadest possible range of views, the Department of Agriculture and the country will be better prepared to develop a long term strategy for ensuring the viability of the Irish dairy sector.”

The consultative group will be representative of all stakeholders including the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra na Feirme, ICOS, IDIA and IDB, who will be asked to nominate representatives. In addition, Teagasc and academic interest will be invited to participate.

Minister of State Killeen said that the high level group would examine medium term and long term ways of stabilising dairy farmers’ incomes and improving market transparency.

“In its work towards delivering a comprehensive report by June 2010, the group will examine means through which contractual arrangements in the supply chain can contribute to the highest possible returns for producers, giving them more bargaining power in the process and providing a buffer against extremes of market volatility such as those that are being experienced at present. It will also examine existing market instruments and consider what other means, including a dairy futures market, could contribute to the objective of price stability in the longer term”, he added.

The Department of Agriculture is expected to shortly convene the first meeting of the consultative group.

EU Committed To Supporting Dairy Sector Says Killeen

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., has welcomed a commitment by the European Commission to take further emergency action in the event of market volatility in the milk sector.

The Fianna Fail TD for Clare was speaking after an emergency meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels yesterday, which follows weeks of protest over the decline in milk prices. He said: “This meeting provided an opportunity to Member States and the Commission to have a full and open discussion on the very difficult market situation being faced by dairy producers. Among the matters discussed by Ministers were proposals put forward by France and solutions suggested earlier by the European Commission, the EU's executive arm in charge of farm policy.”

Minister of State Killeen added: “I recognise that the Commission has been quick to deploy aid to private storage, intervention and export refunds to support the sector to date. However, the fact is that these measures, while stabilising the market, have proved insufficient to lift the market. It is reassuring to see that significant progress is now being made on advancing proposals from a large number of Member States. I am especially delighted to learn that EU Agriculture Commissioner Ms Fischer Boel has confirmed that a proposed high-level group of experts will begin meeting next week to look at medium and long-term solutions including contractual issues between producers and dairies and a possible dairy futures market”, he stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen welcomed the Commission declaration that stocks of butter and skimmed milk powder would not be released from intervention until the market situation had been stabilised. The Agriculture Council is scheduled to return to the situation of the milk market at its next meeting in Luxembourg on 19th October.

32lbs Salmon Caught On River Nore At Thomastown County Kilkenny

An angler has caught the largest salmon for almost 20 years on a river almost decimated by falling stocks.

Martin White hooked an enormous 32lbs salmon fishing from the bank of the River Nore just outside Kilkenny. He plans to get the fish stuffed and put on display reports breakingnews.ie. “This is a fish that people dream of catching and has made all the time and effort I have put into angling worthwhile,” he said. “I have loved every minute of it and I plan to get the fish mounted by a taxidermist so I can have it forever.”

Mr White was fishing with shrimp on a stretch downstream from the city in an area of the Nore known as the ’Minister’s Hole’. He caught the impressive specimen on September 25, the last week of the season.

The River Nore has been badly hit by rapidly dwindling salmon stocks over the last decade but last year recorded a massive jump in numbers returning. Some 12,430 salmon were counted going up-river. In 2007 and 2008 salmon fishing on the Nore operated on a ’catch and release’ basis to protect and conserve stocks. This month anglers given a special tag were allowed to take home one fish only.

Mr White will register his catch of a lifetime with the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC), which records big fish taken in Irish waters. Records show the salmon ranks among the top 15 heaviest rod caught salmon in Ireland. It was the largest fish caught on the Nore since 1991 when Marc O’Regan caught a 34lb salmon at Thomastown. Scale samples have been sent to researchers at the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) to get information about age and growth rate.

Leinster And Munster To Name Sides For Magners Clash

Munster and Leinster are due to name their teams today for tomorrow's Magners League showdown at the RDS.

The two Irish provinces are level on points in second and third place on the table reports breakingnews.ie. Tomorrow's clash will be the first time this season that both sides have their full complement of Irish internationals available for selection.

All the Lions stars are back in action, but Munster captain Paul O'Connell and Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll missed last weekend's matches with hamstring strains and are unlikely to last the 80 minutes.

Home Care Plus Announces 50 Jobs

A private home care company has announced plans to create up to 50 jobs in the Leinster region over the coming year.

Home Care Plus says it is in the process of recruiting 20 carers and expects to generate another 30 jobs in the next 12 months. The firm provides care for elderly and unwell people in their own homes.

Clare Rally Win For Monaghan's Niall Maguire

The S10 Subaru of Monaghan's Niall Maguire, who was co-driven by Enda Sherry, had too much power and pace for their rivals on today's Auburn Lodge Clare Rally.

They led throughout the Ennis-based nine-stage rally and won by a convincing margin of two minutes and 14 seconds, reports Breakingnews.ie. Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort) took second spot followed by the similar car of Ed O'Callaghan/Ger Clancy, who were 10 seconds further behind in third.

Maguire was quickest on the first pair of stages, while Clare ace Anthony O'Halloran (Mitsubishi) set the best time on the third stage. By then, Maguire was 21 seconds clear. He set the pace on all three stages of the second loop and duly stretched his advantage to 52 seconds.

Second placed O'Halloran had opened up a 25 second advantage over Quinn. Maguire cantered to victory but on the penultimate stage, O'Halloran retired after his Mitsubishi punctured. Quinn (Escort) took second followed by Ed O'Callaghan. Irish and British Fiesta SportingTrophy winner, Craig Breen brought the M-Sport Fiesta R2 home in fifth place.

1. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 04m. 56s.
2. M. Quinn/G. McEnery (Ford Escort) 1h. 07m. 10s.
3. E. O'Callaghan/G. Clancy (Ford Escort) 1h. 07m. 20s.
4. T. Bustard/K. Bustard (Mitsubishi) 1h. 07m. 31s.
5. C. Breen/G. Roberts (Ford Fiesta) 1h. 07m. 57s.
6. B. Brogan/D. McGettigan (Ford Escort) 1h. 08m. 04s

For full results click here

Acceptance Of Lisbon Treaty Will Aid Irish Economic Recovery Says Killeen

Junior Minister and Clare Deputy Tony Killeen has said that Ireland's acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty in the upcoming Referendum would greatly assist Irish economic recovery and ensure that the country remained at the centre of Europe.

Minister of State Killeen noted that the scale of the current economic challenges could only be tackled by countries working more closely together. He continued: "We need an efficient and reformed EU to help us. Europe has listened to the Irish people and has given new guarantees on all of the main issues from last year. The Treaty is subject to these legal guarantees. Bearing in mind that in over 50 years the EU has fully honoured every one of many similar guarantees, we can be sure that voting Yes to Lisbon is a vote for economic recovery in both Ireland and Europe. No is the vote for Ireland taking a step away in a new and more uncertain direction".

Commenting on the legal guarantees received from the EU in June, Minister of State Killeen pointed out: "Voting Yes will ensure Ireland retains its Commissioner. A No vote will mean current rules remain, which means the loss of automatic Commission membership immediately. In 2008, 80% of people were concerned about this issue. It has now been addressed."

"Voting Yes will enhance Ireland's ability to attract investment. The people who invest in Ireland and support hundred of thousands of jobs say that confidence in our position as a Euro-positive country matters a lot for them. Only a Yes will help maintain confidence at this difficult time. Voting Yes is also good for workers and social protection. The Treaty is based on the idea of enabling both growth and social protection, building on the Union's role as the great protection of workers and consumers", he added.

Minister of State Killeen said that Ireland needed a reformed EU to tackle the economic crisis. "A Union frozen in the past is of no use to anyone, but a Union that is more dynamic and effective is essential for our future. A more efficient EU is to our benefit. We also need to send a strong signal to our EU partners and to international investors that we are a fully engaged EU country. Ratifying Lisbon will send this vital signal", he concluded.

Climate Change Strategies Must Consider Security Of Food Supply - Killeen

The need to ensure security of food supply and the doubling of global food production in Europe over the next forty years should be considered when addressing the challenge of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, stated Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., today.

The Clare Deputy said he believed the European Union should assume a lead role in the effort to ensure sustainable food production in Europe, and to achieve global food security while effectively addressing the challenges of climate change. He commented: “These objectives will not be easy to reconcile. However, improved efficiency and productivity has already had a significant impact on Greenhouse Gas emissions from European agriculture. Much has been achieved through better farm management, progress in animal breeding and better use of fertiliser.”

Minister Killeen noted that, in Ireland’s case, efficiency improvements have led to a reduction of approximately 12% in the methane emissions associated with each tonne of milk output since 1990. “Emissions from agriculture represent 27% of Ireland’s overall emissions and almost 40% of Ireland’s non-trading sector emissions. This is the highest level of any Member State”, he added.

“Carbon efficiency can be further improved somewhat, without reducing food production. However, the scale of the challenge of climate change, and the manner in which we choose to address it, may result in unintended negative impacts, both in terms of Europe’s role in global food production and global Greenhouse Gas emissions levels. Therefore, there should be a consolidation of European research into technologies that will deliver mitigation and assist in adapting to the changes that are unavoidable”, concluded Minister of State Killeen.

Mayor Of Clare Salutes All Ireland Winning U21 Team

Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy this evening congratulated the Clare Under 21 Hurling Team on defeating Kilkenny in the All Ireland Final at Croke Park.

Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council also confirmed that a homecoming celebration will take place from 7pm at O’Connell Square in Ennis town centre tomorrow. “The pride, passion and skill demonstrated by this group of young sportsmen is a tribute to everybody associated with Clare hurling”, stated the Mayor.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy noted: “On behalf of Clare County Council, I would like to congratulate the U21 hurlers for the honour and pleasure they have brought to Clare by their achievement. The performance against Kilkenny was a wonderful demonstration of the sporting talent that exists in this county and how our young hurlers are able to compete with one of the game’s top intercounty sides. The fact that this is Clare’s first All Ireland title since 1997 further underlines the magnitude of this achievement.”

He added: “In 2008, Munster U21 Final victory hopes appeared to have been dashed following the loss to Tipperary. Yet one year later this team have proved to the sporting world that with pure solid determination anything can be achieved. ‘Write Clare off at your peril’ was the message sent out by the U21 hurlers and management in the aftermath of last year’s crushing defeat. Their unflinching confidence in their own abilities has resulted in this All Ireland victory and a well-earned place in sporting history”

“I would like to congratulate John Minogue, the Clare team and all the back-room staff who played with such heart and pride in the County jersey in Croke Park. This All Ireland win will act as a tonic for the people of Clare and will give the County’s GAA players, clubs and supporters great confidence in achieving further success at national level in the years to come”, stated the Mayor.

Mayor Mulcahy concluded by paying tribute to the Kilkenny Under 21 team whom he said “contributed greatly to what was a very enjoyable sporting spectacle for all hurling supporters”.

First Official Report Of Equine Piroplasmosis In Ireland

Junior Agriculture Minister, Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., today confirmed that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has identified the occurrence of equine Piroplasmosis in a number of thoroughbred horses in an equine facility in county Meath.

Piroplasmosis is a tick-borne protozoan disease of horses, mules, donkeys and zebra. It is caused by blood parasites – Theleria equi and Babesia caballi and gives rise to anaemia and jaundice in affected animals. The disease is not readily contagious and has no Zoonotic implications and therefore no public health concerns arise. According to Minister Killeen: “The County Meath facility affected by the occurrence of equine Piroplasmosis has been served with a movement restriction notice and epidemiological investigations are underway to establish the origin of the disease and the extent of the spread, if any, to other locations.”

“The Department has been in contact with industry representatives who have been informed of the situation. A meeting with industry representatives has been arranged to discuss the implications for animal movement and the measures appropriate to address the threat posed by the disease”, he added.

A notifiable disease in Ireland since July 2009, Piroplasmosis has not been officially reported in this country before although it is understood that a previous incursion did take place. The disease is present in Mediterranean countries but is not present in the US, Canada, the UK or Australia.

EU Agriculture Ministers Seek Improvements For Dairy Market

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has backed calls by fifteen EU Member States for major improvements in support for hard-pressed dairy farmers.

The call was made at a meeting of the EU council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels this week. The 15 Ministers agreed that additional rapid action at EU level was required to deal with the critical situation on European milk markets driven by the global economic crisis.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The group called for a comprehensive EU approach combining immediate short-term measures along with a medium term strategy to deal with volatility in the milk sector. I am especially heartened by the strong support from so many Member States for effective action on these issues. It is critically important for these countries to continue to work closely together to ensure that this leads to real and immediate action leading to the recovery in the EU milk market and realistic prices for farmers.”

He continued: “Among the measures being called for is a temporary increase in the intervention price, and careful management of the disposal of intervention stocks; increased export refunds for butter, milk powder and cheese, while avoiding any distortions in developing country markets; the reactivation of aid for use of milk powder in animal feed; and consideration of measures to modernise and adapt the dairy sector.”

Minister of State Killeen welcomed the sense of urgency among Ministers to redress the increasing divergence between prices paid to farmers and those charged to consumers. “Ministers overwhelmingly supported recommendations from a high-level group to examine the balance in relationships between retailers, processors and producers and to improve the transparency of price formation at every stage in the food chain”, concluded Minister Killeen.

Reopening Of Indonesian Market To Irish EU Beef Welcomed By Killeen

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the Indonesian Government’s decision to lift its 8-year-old ban on the importation of Irish beef.

The Asian country imposed the ban for BSE-related reasons in 2001. The market is being re-opened under the conditions recommended by the Indonesian experts who visited Ireland last June. These include a requirement that the meat originate from cattle under 48 months of age. Initially access is being limited to those four plants that were inspected in June but the possibility of approving other plants, following similar inspection, remains open.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The re-opening of this valuable market reflects intensive efforts by Government at political, diplomatic and technical level. Prior to the ban exports of Irish beef to Indonesia exceeded 24,000 tonnes, valued at in excess of EUR28.5 million.”

“This development represents another significant breakthrough in regaining markets closed because of BSE and added that it will provide a welcome additional outlet for Irish beef on the world market. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will continue to work with An Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs to develop new overseas opportunities for Irish beef exporters”, he added.

Minister Killeen Reports On Current Milk Super Levy Situation

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Tony Killeen TD, has announced that based on estimated milk deliveries as submitted by milk purchasers for the period up to 31 July 2009, Ireland is 6.73% under quota when account is taken of the butterfat content of milk deliveries during the same period.

Minister of State Killeen said that the rate of super levy for the 2009/10 period is EUR0.2783 per kilogram EUR0.286565 per litre). The milk super-levy and milk quotas were introduced in 1984 marking the first major changes to the CAP since Ireland's entry to the EEC. Sheep and sucker cow numbers increased as a result.

Ireland’s milk quota position is published on the Department’s website (http://www.agriculture.gov.ie) under ‘Publications’, followed by the relevant year.

REPS Slurry Spreading Period Extended

REPS farmers unable to spread slurry on their land due to the recent poor weather conditions have been buoyed by a six-week extension of the REPS slurry-spreading period.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food this week announced the temporary measure to assist REPS farmers. According to Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: “The measure applies to farmers in REPS 3 who are required to have spread all the slurry produced during the winter housing period by 31 August”. The Clare T.D. said: “The atrocious weather conditions of the past two months have made it extremely difficult for some local REPS farmers to get their slurry spread by the end of this month”.

He continued: “The Nitrates Regulations would rule out spreading in many areas at the moment. I am delighted, therefore, that Minister Smith has agreed to extend the deadline to 15 October, which is the deadline in the Nitrates Regulations themselves and also applies to farmers in REPS 4”.

Clare And Kilkenny Camogie Tie Brought Forward

Clare face defending minior camogie champions Kilkenny in the minor championship final at Semple Stadium in a repeat of last year's decider.

The high-profile clash was brought forward 24 hours to give Clare coach Davy Fitzgerald an opportunity to be with his team, and also to avoid a clash with Kilkenny's SHC tie on Sunday, according to the Irish Independent.

The Banner County were impressive against Cork in the semi-final, but Fintan McNamara's team will be under no illusion as to the huge task that lies ahead.

Agri-Food Sector Needs Support Of Irish Retailers

The viability of the agri-food sector is dependent on the commitment of the Irish retail sector to sourcing and providing a comprehensive range of familiar domestic products and brands.

That is according to Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who this week said that the concentration at retail level has fundamentally changed the balance of market negotiating power in the food chain. Acknowledging that this was not an issue confined to Ireland, Minister of State Killeen added: “This is one factor behind the declining share of retail prices passed to agricultural producers. The Department has been working closely with the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan TD, and her Department on the details of a Code of Practice in this area, which will have as its key objective the need to achieve a balance in the relationship within the retail trade.”

The Clare T.D. explained, “The Irish Agri-food is Ireland’s most important indigenous sector, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout every county in the country, at both producer and processor level. I, along with my Department colleagues, will continue to impress upon large retailers the benefits of continuing to support, source and make available as wide and comprehensive a range of Irish products as possible.”

“While it is important that consumers continue to get value from retailers, it should be pointed out that a fair return to suppliers and producers is essential to the maintenance of thousands of Irish jobs and the survival of primary producers. The importance of a sector that supports, directly and indirectly, 230,000 jobs cannot be overstated. Furthermore, the sector has the potential to accelerate the country’s economic recovery”, he concluded.

Water Results To Be Put Online

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D. has announced that he has issued instructions to local authorities to commence publishing the results of their drinking water sampling programmes on their websites.

“I am pleased to announce this measure which is in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government to enable consumers to access user-friendly information on drinking water quality online” the Minister said.

The Minister has directed that all local authorities should publish the results of their water sampling, with access to the data being made available from a prominent position on each local authority's homepage. “Improved consumer access to information on the quality of drinking water will be a key driver in bringing about a sustained improvement in the quality of water services. Ready access by consumers to up-to-date data on water quality is not alone important in terms of protecting public health, but also it empowers consumers to actively engage with the water supplier to seek information or reassurance in relation to their drinking water supply" the Minister stated.

Under the 2007 Drinking Water Regulations the 34 County and City Councils are required to prepare a monitoring programme to cover each water supply in their functional area and to monitor all water supplies for which they are responsible. The Regulations also set down a range of chemical and micro-biological standards which drinking water supplies must comply with.