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Other products with PGI recognition in Ireland include Irish whiskey and the Waterford Blaa

Irish grass-fed beef to get special recognition by EU

Irish grass-fed beef is set to be granted special recognition for its unique characteristics and geographical origin by the European Commission.

Ireland • 15 Nov 23

The farming community needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%

The future of farming: Using science to cut emissions

'Science in action' in the agri-sector is the theme of a climate and agriculture conference taking place in Dublin.

Ireland • 15 Nov 23

A new case of BSE had been detected during post-mortem testing of a dead 10-and-a-half year old cow (File Photo: RollingNews.ie)

China closes to Irish beef, but when can ban be lifted?

China is the second-most populous country in the world and the closure of such a vast market for Irish beef is a blow to farmers.

Ireland • 13 Nov 23

Waterlogged fields have impeded this year's potato harvest

Potato farmers face serious crop losses as harvest hit

Weather unpredictability and above normal rainfall has made it a difficult year for the agricultural sector. Most farmers were affected in some way or another and right now, potato growers are facing serious crop losses as waterlogged fields impede this year's harvest.

Ireland • 10 Nov 23

Under a protocol agreed with China, beef exports have to be suspended on discovery of any BSE case which has now happened (Stock image)

China beef exports suspended after case of BSE detected

Irish beef exports to China have been stopped after a case of atypical BSE was detected in a bovine animal in Ireland.

Ireland • 07 Nov 23

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue (Photo credit: RollingNews.ie)

Govt to push for Irish beef access on S Korea mission

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue will take part in a cross-Government trade mission to South Korea this week to promote the Irish food, beverage and agri-tech sectors.

Ireland • 30 Oct 23

The conference heard that since joining the EU, Irish agriculture has modernised, mechanised and specialised

Joining EU transformative for Irish farming, event told

A conference exploring how Irish agriculture has fared over 50 years of membership of the EU, hosted by farm research and advisory service Teagasc, has taken place in Dublin.

Regional • 27 Oct 23

The proposal would see EU members reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030

EU committee adopts proposal to halve pesticide use

The European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) has adopted a proposed regulation to reduce the use of pesticides in the EU by 50% by 2030.

Europe • 24 Oct 23

Candidates made their pitches to IFA members last night

IFA presidential hopefuls outline priorities to members

IFA presidential candidates have made their pitches to members from Co Westmeath and Co Longford as campaigns for the four-year role continue.

Ireland • 20 Oct 23

Payments of €179m to farmers in the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme recommenced today

€179m in delayed payments to farmers commence

Payments to farmers that were delayed by a month, sparking a row between the Department of Agriculture and some farm leaders, have recommenced today.

Agriculture • 17 Oct 23

Research from the Environmental Protection Agency showed that fruit and vegetables are the most common types of food waste

Supermarket discounts on fruit and veg cause concern

An agricultural economist says she is concerned about supermarkets selling fruit and vegetables at low prices as part of promotions and what it may mean for the sector in Ireland.

Ireland • 12 Oct 23

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue (Photo credit: Rolling News)

No provision for voluntary dairy reduction scheme

No financial provision has been made for a voluntary dairy reduction scheme in Budget 2024.

Agriculture • 11 Oct 23

This year's harvest is unlikely to exceed 2 million tonnes

Grain harvest 'a disaster' due to wet weather

Grain farmers say their harvest has been a disaster this year after months of wet weather.

Agriculture • 09 Oct 23

The Teagasc National Farm Survey Sustainability Report found milk was produced with a lower carbon footprint than in 2021

Greenhouse gas emissions down on Irish farms - report

A newly published sustainability report on Irish agriculture in 2022 notes there was a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy, cattle, sheep and tillage farms.

Agriculture • 06 Oct 23

Native forest in Aughrim, Co Wicklow (file image)

Farmers urged to plant trees under new €1.3bn programme

Farmers are encouraged to get involved in forestry and take up supports available in a new €1.3 billion forestry programme.

Agriculture • 04 Oct 23

The total fund comes to €9.5m and is sourced from the EU Agriculture Reserve fund (file image)

Supports for tillage and horticulture sectors announced

Following very difficult weather-related growing and harvesting conditions in Ireland this year, a support package has been announced for the tillage and horticultural sectors by the Minister for Agriculture.

Ireland • 03 Oct 23

The ash tree is considered important for improving biodiversity as well as providing wildlife habitats

Ash dieback should be treated as 'emergency' - report

A new report into the handling of ash dieback disease by the State has called for the disease to be treated as a national emergency, with a taskforce to be set up to clear infected trees and re-establish plantations.

Ireland • 03 Oct 23

Crowds braving the weather at Ratheniska earlier today

Rain fails to dampen spirits at Ploughing Championships

President Michael D Higgins has officially opened this year's National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois, one of the biggest shows of its kind in Europe.

Leinster • 19 Sep 23

The European Commission's nitrate limits will impact 3,000 Irish dairy and beef farmers from 1 January 2024 (file pic)

Amending Irish nitrates rules would be 'premature' - EU

The European Commission has said it has not received an invitation from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to the environment commissioner to visit Ireland in the context of the state's derogation on EU nitrates rules.

Ireland • 18 Sep 23

Lauren Ennis from Co Offaly took to TikTok during lockdown

'Farmfluencers' highlight different side of agriculture

It may be a turbulent time for Irish agriculture but many young farmers want to show a different side to their work.

Ireland • 18 Sep 23

The cost of producing dairy - from energy to feed to fertiliser - has risen dramatically in the past two years

Sunk Cost: Fallout of Ukraine war is seen in dairy

Dairy and eggs are everyday items for most households; they're also grocery items that have seen some of the most significant increases in the past two years. Much of the reason for that can be traced back to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Business • 17 Sep 23

New rules say farmers are only allowed to produce 170kg of organic nitrogen per hectare on their farms

Taoiseach to invite environment commissioner to Ireland

The Taoiseach is to invite the European Commissioner for the Environment to Ireland over the ending of Ireland's nitrates derogation agreement.

Ireland • 15 Sep 23

At the launch of ifac's Food and Agribusiness Report are Ronan Greaney, The Dough Bros in Galway, David Leydon, Head of Food and Agribusiness at ifac; Stephanie Walsh, food business consultant with ifac and Eugene Greaney, The Dough Bros

61% of agribusinesses face staffing challenge - report

A survey of leaders of 75 food and agribusinesses on the island of Ireland has found businesses are being affected by high costs, staff recruitment challenges and general price inflation.

Ireland • 14 Sep 23

A Polish farmer loads harvested wheat grain into a trailer in Torun, central Poland

Poland to extend ban on Ukrainian grain imports

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said his government will extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports beyond 15 September, regardless of any decision taken by the European Commission.

Ukraine • 13 Sep 23

It is understood the produce concerned is non-Irish grown vegetables from the UK and from other EU countries (Stock image)

Probe under way over supermarket's use of Quality Mark

The Irish food marketing and promotions body, Bord Bia is currently conducting an investigation into the use of its Quality Assurance mark by a supermarket chain operating in Ireland.

Ireland • 06 Sep 23