Few issues in recent years have been as contentious in rural Ireland as government forestry policy. Depending on who you ask aforestation has created ecologically harmful monocultures,… Read more “The Forestry Appeals bill and rural Irelands Fute”
Category: agriculture
Irelands emerging alternative food systems
For the majority organic and local food is linked with the idea of a farmers market, and a limited niche market with a limited customer base. Far… Read more “Irelands emerging alternative food systems”
Covid 19 & Irish agriculture
Covid 19 has created an unprecedented challenge as countries struggle to tackle the crisis. In Ireland as well as putting immense pressure on our already stretched health… Read more “Covid 19 & Irish agriculture”
Animal rights activists threaten Irish farms
Increased environmental consciousness and concerns with pollution caused by industrial agriculture has become more widespread in recent years, movements opposing animal agriculture have used this increased awareness… Read more “Animal rights activists threaten Irish farms”
Beef fund is bad for farmers and the planet
The revelations that the EU and Irish government plan on making the 100 million euro beef fund conditional to a number of measures including possible reductions in… Read more “Beef fund is bad for farmers and the planet”
Budget 2019 and rural Ireland
Tuesdays budget will contain cuts to both USC and income tax, measures which will of course play to Fine Gaels key support base, however the government’s plan… Read more “Budget 2019 and rural Ireland”
Ireland’s forestry problem
The latest figures released by the government show that over 10 percent of the land in Ireland is under forestry. Over half of the forested area is… Read more “Ireland’s forestry problem”
Vultures target Irish farms
Vulture funds who have bought up large amounts of distressed loans are targeting Irish mortgages particularly farmers who borrowed to buy land during the Celtic… Read more “Vultures target Irish farms”
Factory Farms on the increase in Ireland
Irish farming enjoys a reputation for pasture based, grass fed livestock systems. The marketing power of this image is something Irish food producers and retailers are acutely… Read more “Factory Farms on the increase in Ireland”
Protest Power and the IFA
by Breandán Ó Conchúir The recent occupation of the department of agriculture by the IFA is an interesting example of the power dynamics that shape the states… Read more “Protest Power and the IFA”
