Fine Gael regional conference in Carlow to focus on the Future of Farming

The Fine Gael National Agricultural, Food and Rural Development Forum, (NAFRD) will hold a regional conference on Thursday, June 22^nd at 8pm in the Dolmen Hotel in Carlow.

The NAFRD was formed to serve as a representative body for rural Fine Gael members and the Parliamentary Body. It has already held a comprehensive series of events, including two regional conferences over the past six months, which has already afforded the forum the opportunity to engage with 2,500 people on the issues which matter to them in their communities. The group comprises of 61 delegates nationwide.

Chairperson of the Fine Gael NAFRD, Mr. Eddie Downey and former President of the IFA, said that this third regional conference in Carlow presents a unique opportunity for farmers to lead the discussion and engage with Fine Gael on innovative solutions, as well as the challenges they face.

“Our Carlow Regional Conference will feature inputs and insights from Fine Gael Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, as well as Margaret Kirwan, owner of Goatsbridge Trout Farm and Lorna Sixsmith, dairy farmer and author.

“Rural Ireland is evolving and EU legislation, such as the nitrates, nature restoration and pesticide regulation directives will impact significantly on farmers; they want clarity around how these will impact on their business,” Mr. Downey continued.

“Capital Acquisitions Tax and Agriculture Reliefs also remain firmly on the farming agenda, but stock relief and stamp duty are also emerging as areas where changes could be made.

“We have presented this group’s priority issues to members of the parliamentary party at Leinster House in Dublin. The meeting was an important milestone for us and I am encouraged by the responses we received and we’ll be building on that engagement,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to a strong turnout for our forthcoming Carlow Regional Conference on June 22^nd and would encourage anyone working in farming, agriculture or food production to come and join us for what promises to be a very interesting evening.”