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A German MEP has pledged to support the campaign of Irish farmers to retain the nitrates derogation after visiting two intensive dairy farms in county Longford last weekend. Bavarian-based MEP Christine Singer accepted the invitation from the Independent Ireland Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly to come and see for herself the potential damage that losing the derogation could cause to the grass-based enterprise here by embarking on a fact-finding visit to two progressive Longford Farms and then supporting MEP Mullooly’s plans to directly engage with all EU council of ministers and fellow EU MEPS in the next 12 months.
With the Nitrates Derogation Coming up for review in Europe, Ciaran Mullooly has committed already to briefing all fellow Members of the powerful EU Agricultural Committee first-hand on the importance of the derogation for Irish grass-based Farmers Christine Singer a dairy farmer herself and MEP from Germany was the first MEP on the committee to accept Mullooly's invitation to visit and has now stated that she will be supporting the Irish case to maintain the Nitrates Degradation for Ireland Singer and Mullooly first visited the farm of Ann and John Sheridan and their family at Firmount, Edgeworthstown. After walking the paddocks and meeting regional IFA staff, She saw the work they have already started on a new slurry storage facility on the farm and stated that she is very impressed with the new technology that is being used on Irish farms to further reduce the impact on the environment. On a visit to the farm of Joe and Barbara McGreal and their son Cathal at Corbeagh house in Ballinalee, Ciaran Mullooly MEP said it is clear by the level of investment on both farms that they are very much committed to adopting new farming practices to enhance the environment. “With the increase in clover in Irish grass and both the use of protected Urea and new direct slurry injection into the soil, Mullooly said, “Our farmers are doing more than their fair share of the work to cope with the challenge ahead.” Christine Singer and Ciaran Mullooly complimented both farmers she visited and will now work together to win the hearts and minds of the new EU commissioners for Environment and Agriculture in supporting the campaign for the retention of the Derogation in the next crucial 12-month period. “We know the European Parliament will not decide this matter so we must all work together to ensure that the new commissioners are made abundantly aware of the importance of the derogation to our farmers” Ciaran said, “visits like this week are hugely important in getting the message to our colleagues in the other member states.”
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MEP Ciaran Mullooly has said he will initiate a consultation process with community groups in the midlands to assess the effectiveness of the European Just Transition Fund (EUJTF). This comes after recent allocations of grant aid to various projects in the region. Mullooly is seeking to gather comprehensive feedback on the impact of these allocations, particularly in relation to former Bord na Móna and ESB workers and their families.  Mullooly raised important questions, asking: "How many community groups were involved in this EUJTF process? How many former Bord na Móna and ESB workers or their families directly benefited from the grant aid?"
These questions highlight his commitment to ensuring full engagement from those affected by the EUJTF initiatives. As the European Commission undertakes a review of the EUJTF's operations, President Ursula von der Leyen has indicated that "red tape and regulation is hampering the effectiveness of the EUJTF schemes within some countries - with 40 million euros unspent." In light of this, Mullooly emphasised the need for community feedback before the Commission's review is presented to the European Parliament early next year. This feedback, he noted, will be crucial in shaping potential legislative changes ahead of the introduction of EUJTF 2.0. Mullooly has encouraged all community groups in the midlands to participate in this consultation during the month of August. He has assured them that their views will be represented as part of the Commission's review process. Mullooly, who will be involved in scrutinising the review as part of the European Parliament's Regional Development Committee, stated, "Your view will be heard. I can assure you of that." Through his efforts, Mullooly aims to ensure that the experiences and concerns of midlands communities are taken into account as the EUJTF evolves, reflecting his dedication to effective and responsive policy-making. Ciaran Mullooly, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Midlands-North-West for Independent Ireland, has issued a strong call for immediate action to address the alarming decline in suckler cow numbers and the significant drop in beef farmers’ income in Ireland.  Speaking ahead of the annual Beef Show in Tullamore, Mullooly highlighted the critical challenges facing the Irish beef sector, particularly in the Midlands and North-West regions. Ireland has seen a significant reduction in suckler cow numbers over the past decade, with projections indicating a further decline in the coming years. The income of beef farmers has also plummeted, with the Teagasc report for 2023 revealing an average income of just €14,700 per farmer.
“This decline is not just a threat to our rural communities and the family farm model, but it’s a national economic issue that requires urgent intervention,” Mullooly stated. “The measures we need to counter this decline are clear and must be implemented without delay.” MEP Mullooly has confirmed that he has written to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen to propose a number of practical steps that can be taken at a European level and moves that must be supported by the Minister for Agriculture here at home. Key measures proposed by MEP Mullooly: 1. Extension of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status Mullooly is advocating for the extension of the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status to include Irish suckler cow herds. He says this move would help preserve the identity and heritage of native Irish beef and provide a premium market for these products. 2. Investigation into the Irish beef market In his correspondence to the Commission President, Mullooly has urged the immediate appointment of THE new Agricultural Commissioner to investigate the dysfunctional beef market in Ireland. The investigation, Mullooly insists, should be conducted in collaboration with Ireland’s newly established Agri-Food Regulatory Body to ensure fair pricing and sustainability in the sector. 3. Retail price transparency Mullooly is also calling for greater transparency in retail pricing, specifically advocating for the publication of the percentage of the end product price that goes to producers. This transparency, he argues, is essential for ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of the profits. A call for direct support to suckler herd owners In addition to these measures, Mullooly is pushing for the introduction of a new direct payment scheme specifically aimed at supporting suckler herd owners. This payment would provide much-needed financial stability to farmers and help sustain the suckler herd population in Ireland. Mullooly concluded by stressing the urgency of these actions, stating, “Our beef farmers are the backbone of rural Ireland, and we must take decisive steps to protect their livelihoods and preserve our agricultural heritage.” Independent Ireland MEP, Ciaran Mullooly, has strongly condemned the recent proposal from the European Commission to reduce the Promotion Budget and 2025 Annual Works Programme for agricultural produce by 50%, stating: “This proposal must be rejected and when Council representatives meet in September there must be unanimous opposition to it.”  “This proposal is not in line with the Commission’s commitment to support EU family Farmers,” said MEP Mullooly: “These farmers are the backbones of rural communities and depend greatly on this co-funding from the EU to see their produce promoted internationally.
“On July 18th, the then Commission President candidate Ursula von der Leyen, in her pre-election address to the incoming European Parliament vowed to make sure that farmers receive a fair income if she was re-elected as president of the European Commission. “As we know, Ms von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the Commission, albeit without my support, and straight out of the traps we have a proposed cut. It beggars belief that this deviation is in keeping with her vow to ensure farmers receive a fair income. MEP Mullooly confirmed today (Wednesday) that he will be proposing an amendment to the Commission’s proposal at the next European Parliament Agriculture Committee meeting and will be seeking support from other MEPs on the AGRI Committee: “We can not allow the Commission to make any reduction in the budget for promoting and supporting EU agricultural products. “The present programs have been used successfully by Bord Bia, in conjunction with other EU countries’ food marketing boards, and a proposed cut of 50% is simply unacceptable at a time when farmers are on their knees. The IFA has confirmed that the EU budget in 2024 is approximately €186 million and will be fully utilised. According to MEP Mullooly, the proposed cut “must be opposed” and he said that he would be corresponding with his party colleagues Michael Fitzmaurice TD and Michael Collins TD advising them of the proposed changes and informing them of my opposition and plan of action to make amendments at a European level. Both Deputy Collins, Leader of Independent Ireland and Deputy Fitzmaurice sit on the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee and have highlighted the issue of EU trends favouring importing lower quality produce such as Brazilian beef from outside the EU at a national level for some time now. Fitzmaurice said he: “Conmmends MEP Mullooly on his judgement in not supporting Ursula von der Leyen as EU Commission President as she promised everything to get elected and now has turned her back on those vowes. Concluding his remarks, Fitzmaurice said: “Brazil intends to increase its national herd by more than the total current national herd of Ireland by 2030. The result is that the EU obviously intend to stop promoting EU-produced agriculture products leaving consumers little or no choice but to buy imported food stuffs.” |
About Ciaran Mullooly
Native of: Lanesborough, Co Longford Archives
September 2024
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