27th May 2015

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association will host a regional rural development meeting at the Devon Inn, Templeglantine, Co. Limerick on Thursday, May 28th at 9pm, which will be attended by ICSA president Patrick Kent.

The agenda will include the new Beef Genomics and Data Programme, hen harrier designation and the West Cork legal challenge, along with a presentation by Paul O’Connell of O’Connell Mills, Crecora, sponsors of the event, on feeding. Other speakers will include ICSA general secretary, Eddie Punch, rural development chairman, Billy Gray and suckler chairman, Dermot Kelleher.

“The topics for discussion on the night are of the utmost importance to farmers at present,” said ICSA rural development vice-chairman, Seamus Sherlock, who is organising the meeting. “There are huge concerns nationwide about the terms and conditions of the new Beef Genomics and Data Programme, and ICSA is still hopeful that Minister Coveney will extend the deadline for applications.”

“Hen harrier designation is a particular issue in this region, and will be of interest to many local farmers, as are land eligibility penalties. This meeting will give farmers all across the region the opportunity to have their views heard and their questions answered on these and other rural development issues.”

For further information on the meeting, contact ICSA rural development vice-chairman Seamus Sherlock at 087-3854857.