Bird Flu
There are just weeks to go before Christmas – when many
Irish families will be serving turkey at the heart of Christmas
dinner. But confirmation of Bird Flu found on some turkey
farms in Monaghan – have resulted in culls of infected flocks
AND the establishment of a tight surveillance zone around
those farms. With strict controls on movement and
biosecurity measures in place. Darragh McCullough meets a
turkey grower within that surveillance zone to find out how
he’s coping under pressure to deliver healthy & safe birds for
Christmas shoppers.
Tory Island
It’s been 25 years since a cow was seen on Tory, but in
July, as part of the Corncrake LIFE Project, 6 young
Galloway Heifers made the 9 mile trip from the mainland
across to the island to their new home. Ella Mc Sweeney
made that journey with them from Seanie Boyle’s farm
where they were raised, onto the ferry and across the sea
to Tory, where they were warmly welcomed by the locals
with music and singing.
Acres
On January 1 st 2023 ACRES, the new Agricultural Climate Rural Environmental scheme comes into effect. It’s the scheme which will replace GLAS. However, it will also replace a number of schemes in SACs – including the Burren Programme, a results based agri-environmental scheme which is the envy of Europe. The founders of the Burren Programme Dr Brendan Dunford & Dr Sharon Parr have announced they are stepping down as the new ACRES scheme will not deliver for farmers or the Burren due to capping of payments and lack of local flexibility. Helen Caroll speaks to a farmer
participating in the Burren Programme who stands to lose out financially through ACRES & to Brendan & Sharon about their reasons for resigning.
For more information contact Production Manager, Sylvia Lynch. sylvia.l@indiepics.ie / 01 708 8188