IFA President John Bryan said that he would be contacting the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith immediately to highlight some serious shortcomings that need to be addressed in the new Agri-Environmental Scheme to replace REPS, which the Department of Agriculture is proposing.

Northern Ireland Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has confirmed that the 2010 application period for the Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) will be from 10 March to 31 March 2010.

Industry representatives have slammed the relaunched Department of Agriculture Bioenergy Scheme as not doing enough to support the sector.

IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey said the EPA/ESRI Strive report shows how Government policy decisions continue to discriminate massively against rural Ireland.

Speculation is mounting that an announcement on the new agri-environment package will be made over the next week.

Reacting to the statement from EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik that water quality trends are improving, IFA Environment Committee Chairman Pat Farrell said it proved that farmers are playing their part in safeguarding water quality.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, has launched a major initiative to draw up a long-term strategy for the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors.

In the beginning, the organic movement struggled to shed its image of wonky carrots sold by hippies with dirty cuffs and sandals.

Landowners now have more flexibility to produce different energy crops as most subsidy payments are decoupled from production.

Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has welcomed the signing of a service agreement with Global Trust Certification Ltd (GTC). 

Brendan Smith TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has announced the commencement of a new Bioenergy Scheme to grant aid the planting of willow and miscanthus crops over the period 2010 to 2012.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Tom Turley has called on the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith to immediately introduce the new REPS scheme, as up to 10,000 REPS 3 contracts will be finished by 15 May Single Farm Payment deadline.