IFA: ‘No new money’ in EU payments
IFA President Francie Gorman has taken the view, following the announcement by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon that farmers will receive 75% of their own EU payments on October 16th rather than 70%, will be of negligible benefit at farm level.
“There is no new money here and these EU funds which are due to farmers will still not be paid out until October 16th, which is almost two months way. Minister Heydon indicated to the media that fast-tracking payments was ‘on the table’ but what he announced yesterday is more back-tracking than fast-tracking,” he said.
The average EU payment that a farmer receives under the EU schemes the Minister mentioned is just under €10,000. Farmers had been due to get €7,000 of this on October 16th and the remaining €3,000 on December 1st.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
‘A frightening surge’ in farm accidents
The recent series of farm-related accidents and sometimes tragedies recently has marked “a frightening surge”, the Chairman of the Farm Business Committee at the ICMSA, Pat O’Brien, said.
He made the comment as he reflected upon the 25 fatal accidents that occurred in agricultural contexts in 2025. He added that “this is a figure that constitutes almost 40% of all workplace-related fatalities that occurred last year.
“First and foremost, I want to express ICMSA’s sincere sympathies to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost loved ones in farm accidents in recent times.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
