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Tag Archives: Minister Charlie McConalogue

Agriculture Minister agrees to meet Burren farmers

THE agriculture minister is to meet farmers on two highly successful Clare environmental schemes, amid fears over the fall-out of their amalgamation into a new nationwide programme. Minister Charlie McConalogue informed party colleague Senator Timmy Dooley of his intention to meet farmers on the Burren Programme and the Hen Harrier Project next Tuesday (November 22). This follows a pledge last week by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to take the matter up with Mr McConalogue. Senator Dooley, who met farmers on a visit to the Burren with MEP Billy Kelleher, said he was hopeful that fears over a drop in payments, could be allayed. “This is good news and an opportunity for farmers to make their concerns known directly to Minister McConalogue,” he said.  The Minister also gave that commitment in the Seanad last Tuesday to Senator Martin Conway, who raised the issue with him. The Fine Gael member highlighted the huge success of the Burren Programme in supporting environmental conservation …

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Taoiseach intervenes positively in Burren scheme controversy

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has intervened in the controversy over the ending of a farming scheme designed to protect the world-famous ecosystem of the Burren. The matter was raised with by Deputy Michael McNamara who told him that farmers participating in the Burren Programme and on the Slieve Aughtys would lose out in the new ACRES scheme. In the Dáil, the Independent TD called on the Taoiseach to review plans to subsume the programme into ACRES Burren Aran.  “The new ACRES scheme will disadvantage the farmers in that [Burren] scheme as it were the farmers on the Slieve Aughtys who are in the Hen Harrier area. The standard they will have to reach is lower, but they’ll get less money.” Responding, the Taoiseach said farmers should not suffer a loss of income due to the new ACRES scheme. “I will take that up with the Minister of Agriculture, because we want more and more people engaged in environmental friendly farming. I …

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Anger at ‘unholy mess’ over Burren scheme

CHANGES to an award-winning scheme that has supported farmers to deliver million of euros worth of conservation measures in the Burren have been branded “an unholy mess”. The Burren Programme incentivises those farming one of the most sensitive landscapes in the country, with payments to promote sustainable agricultural management. Since its inception, the pioneering programme has supported more than 400 local farmers who have delivered at least €33 million worth of landscape and biodiversity improvements. Despite its internationally-recognised achievements, the programme will change radically as of January 1, 2023. From the start of next year, farmers will have to transfer to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, ACRES Burren Aran, which covers a territory from the Aran Islands to Loughrea in East Galway. It is feared the move will lead to a drop in payments to farmers and decrease incentives for conservation measures.  Burren IFA member, Michael Davoren has sought an urgent meeting with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. “This is an unholy …

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Welcome boost for Clare animal welfare groups

A TOTAL of €18,500 has been allocated to animal welfare and rescue organisations in Clare by the Department of Agriculture. The lion’s share went to Burren Animal Rescue who secured €12,000. The Tubber-based organisation offers a sanctuary for animals and rehomes horses, donkeys and pigs. It also offers a ‘virtual adoption’ service, whereby an animal can remain at the sanctuary and have its costs covered by a sponsor. In the latest funding allocation, An Cat Dubh Sanctuary in Mullagh was awarded €4,500. The organisation caters primary for cats, but is also home to some feline-friendly dogs, donkeys and hens. It provides a rehoming service as well as Trap, Neuter and Return/Release (TNR) service for feral cats. Clare Animal Welfare, meanwhile, received €2,000. The Feakle-based organisation provides a rehoming service for dogs and promotes neutering and general education on the care of dogs. Nationally, a total of €3.2m was awarded to 101 organisations. Minister Charlie McConalogue paid to everyone involved in …

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