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This article is the third of a series of articles on mental health from our partner Turn2me  “How are you? I’m grand….” We ask this question so often in this country, it could be the new “hello.” Do you wait for an answer? When asked, do you mumble “I’m grand”? When was the last time you asked yourself “How am I?” answered the question truthfully, were honest with yourself! The truth is we cannot all be “grand” all the time, it is not reflective of real life. Talking about how we feel does not come naturally to a lot of...

Macra na Feirme will be part of the Irish delegation attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) next week in Glasgow. COP26 is considered the last-chance to secure agreement on making the necessary changes to emissions in order to limit climate change to a 1.5 degree increase.   The Conference begins this weekend with world leaders gathering to negotiate and make commitments to deliver on the needs to address the climate change challenge.  Young people across Ireland are acutely aware of the need for action in relation to climate change, the message from Irish young farmers and rural youth is clear, we need policies to...

Macra na Feirme has responded to the release of the carbon budgets on Monday 25 October 2021.   To quote Charles Stuart Parnell “no man has the right to say to his country – thus far shalt thou go and no further.”  The carbon budgets were submitted to the government on Monday by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC).  Macra na Feirme feels that the carbon budgets will affect every aspect of young farmers lives, both personal and professional, for decades to come.   The CCAC admits in their report that there will be lower agriculture outputs, incomes and a reduction in employment as a result of a reduction in bovine agricultural activity.  “Young...

In advance of the Department of Agriculture CAP Consultation in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Friday evening, (October 22) Macra na Feirme has said that the Minister and Department need to realised that not a single additional euro has been found for the next generation of young farmers through initiatives such as a retirement scheme, start-up business grants and a funded land mobility service.    Speaking ahead of the DAFM Consultation in Thurles, Macra na Feirme National President John Keane said “The Minister is to be lauded for the additional €900m that has been secured within the context of the overall CAP budget. However, not a single additional euro has been allocated for...

Macra na Feirme is questioning the level of funding announced for the Common Agricultural Policy.  Yesterday (October 20th), the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine along with the Taoiseach announced a near €10bn CAP budget from 2023-27, that according to Macra na Feirme is missing €310m for young farmer measures.   In reaction to the detail of funds announced, Macra na Feirme National President John Keane said “We have consistently voiced the need to support young farmers as they begin their farming careers.  The funds announced are missing a Start-up Business Grant scheme for young farmers, a Retirement Scheme and funding for a Land Mobility Service. The cost of providing these valuable incentives to...