Latest news with #ICOS
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
RAISE programme launched to support the future of Irish farming
A project which seeks to promote generational renewal in Irish agriculture was officially launched this week. Project 'RAISE' (Renewal of Agriculture through Intergenerational Support & Empowerment) is a structured new initiative aimed at securing the future of Irish farming focused on one of rural Ireland's most pressing challenges, generational renewal. The three-year programme is co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture. The 'Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council', a group made up of agri-sector stakeholders, has been established. Included in this advisory council are representatives from the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Teagasc, University College Cork (UCC), Macra Na Feirme, Aurivo, Dairygold, Lakeland Dairies, Tirlán, and three active farmer representatives. Over the next three years, RAISE will aim to work on establishing collaborative farming relationships between young and older farmers underpinned by training, mentoring and a strong support network. The project does not aim to transfer land or knowledge but to ensure Ireland's farms remain productive and family-centred. ICOS president Edward Carr said: 'Across Ireland, farmers are ageing and while many young people aspire to work the land, they often find themselves locked out by limited access to land, resources or mentorship. Meanwhile, older farmers face uncertainty about the future of their farms, also burdened by the emotional and financial weight of succession decisions. 'At the heart of the project is a belief in partnership and mutual respect. Whether it's a young farmer searching for their first opportunity or an older farmer wondering who will walk the fields after them, RAISE seeks to offer them a roadmap,' Mr Carr concluded. The initiative will be phased, beginning with a needs assessment capturing the lived experiences, barriers and hopes of farmers. From there, a comprehensive programme of training and capacity building will be rolled out, focusing not just on farm management, but on co-operative structures, communication and legacy building. Mentorship programmes will pair seasoned farmers with potential new entrants. The programme is open to all co-operatives and farmers across the country. A digital resource hub will centralise training modules, collaborative farming templates and real-world case studies. Participants in the project will avail of advisors and co-operative officers who will act as facilitators, helping farming families navigate often sensitive succession conversations. Community forums and awareness campaigns will be designed to spark public dialogue as well as aid in showcasing the positive impact of collaboration. Those interested in participating in the initiative can visit the RAISE project website. Read More Sunburnt but seasoned: Young Irish farmers back from Down Under
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Co-op directors start 2025 bespoke leadership diploma
A group of 24 co-operative leaders have started a leadership in food business programme tailored specifically for directors in their sector. The participants will comprise the 2025 intake for the Diploma in Corporate Direction (Food Business) delivered by University College Cork (UCC), in partnership with Skillnet, the learning and development division of Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS). The diploma programme has run every second year since its launch in 2013. It is structured to enhance the skills of directors and managers in corporate governance within the agri-business sector, with an emphasis on sustainability. Over the past decade, ICOS Skillnet has trained more than 28,000 co-operative participants across 140 programmes. 2025 participants This year's participants include farmer directors and senior figures of: Arrabawn; Aurivo; Bandon; Barryroe; Dairygold; Drinagh; Kerry Dairy Ireland; Lakeland Dairies; Lisavaird; Tirlán; and Callan. Head of Learning and Development at ICOS Skillnet, Billy Goodburn, said, 'Irish co-operatives are at the heart of one of Europe's most progressive food sectors. 'This programme empowers co-op directors to provide considered guidance and direction within their co-operatives as they navigate a rapidly evolving operating environment. 'Leadership today must be informed, resilient, and responsive, and this diploma is a proven catalyst for those qualities.' During their academics , participants will analyse emerging issues such as climate leadership, stakeholder engagement, digital innovation and sustainable value chains. UCC programme director, Dr. Bridget Carrollat, said, 'We're proud to continue this unique partnership with ICOS Skillnet in support of co-operative success. 'The calibre and commitment of our participants demonstrate a collective ambition to lead Irish co-operatives into a more sustainable and competitive future, in a sector that creates major value for farming communities and the economy.' Testimonials Now entering its seventh cycle, the diploma is specifically designed to support directors of co-operative food businesses in developing their expertise in corporate governance, strategy, sustainability, and organisational leadership. One past participant of the programme stated that the course 'should be compulsory for all board members.' Another past participant stated in feedback on the diploma: 'As a board member of my local cooperative for a number of years, to participate in the Diploma in Corporate Direction gave me a confidence and self-belief that I lacked in the boardroom.' ICOS represents co-operatives across Ireland, including those in dairy processing, livestock marts, and agri-services. These co-operatives generate a combined turnover of approximately €16 billion, serving over 175,000 members and employing more than 12,000 people in Ireland.
Agriland
04-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
ICOS AGM: ‘Promising' developments amid uncertainty in farming
Despite high levels of uncertainty facing farming, there are 'promising political and market developments' that could support the sector in the year ahead. That's according to Edward Carr, the president of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), who told the organisation's annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday (Tuesday, June 3): 'Perhaps society is finally recognising that quality food is both difficult and expensive to produce, and it must be paid for accordingly.' The AGM was held in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, in which Carr told stakeholders: 'We live in interesting times'. 'While the term 'unprecedented' is often overused, it rightly describes the challenges currently confronting co-ops and food producers.' Carr welcomed what he said were recent shifts at an EU level, saying that the 2024 European Parliament elections prompted centrist groups to 'rethink recent policies that alienated farmers'. 'The previous [European] Commission's overly purist Green Deal and dismissive attitude towards agriculture played a significant role in driving voters toward the political extremes. 'Now, we see a more balanced approach, with new agriculture and environment commissioners, Christoph Hansen and Jessika Roswall [respectively] showing early signs of being more responsive and pragmatic,' Carr said. However, he added that legal environmental commitments for farming remain in place and 'must be met'. Commenting on market conditions, he said that the prices of milk and meat are at 'unprecedented levels', supported by currently weak global supply. However, these prices are 'countered' by cost bases within the agri-sector that are constantly rising, according to Carr. 'This trend confirms what we've been saying for years. Farming has been pushed into a position where it is unattractive to younger generations. The costs are high, inflation is locked-in, the hours are long and the rewards are limited.' He also warned that global geopolitical risks, including continuing conflict, the trade impact of the current US administration under Donald Trump, and the rise of 'authoritarian voices' in Europe, could threaten stability. 'The European project, and in particular the Single Market, remains vital for Ireland's economic future. We need strong leadership to ensure that Europe continues to work for its citizens, farmers included, not just for ideological visions,' Carr commented. He also told the ICOS AGM that environmental responsibility is important, particularly in relation to the nitrates derogation. 'We've made huge strides in improving water quality, though the time lag between action and results remains frustrating. Still, the perseverance of co-ops, farmers, Teagasc, and the Department of Agriculture is beginning to bear fruit. 'Retaining the derogation is essential, not just for dairying but for the entire agri-sector,' he said. One of key issues for the year ahead, according to Carr, is the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), amid concerns that its standalone ringfenced budget could be radically overhauled. 'Agriculture and the CAP are under pressure, with serious risk that funds could be diverted to other priorities. This would be deeply damaging, not just to the basic payments scheme [Pillar I], but also to Pillar II, which is critical to delivering sustainability goals. In fact, we don't need two pillars, we need a third,' he said. 'CAP is the foundation of a sustainable and competitive farming and agri-food sector in Ireland and Europe. It plays a vital role in maintaining farm incomes, supporting rural communities and driving progress on climate and environmental goals across the EU. 'What we need is a strong, practical and fully resourced CAP; one that cuts red tape and empowers farmers to focus on producing food, not paperwork. Farming in Ireland and across the EU is struggling to attract young farmers,' Carr added. He called on the European Commission not to risk 'accelerating the generational renewal crisis'. 'Rather than potentially seeking mechanism to undermine and defund CAP, the European Commission must stand by its farming citizens, underpin food security and protect this essential policy,' he said. The ICOS president called on policymakers to 'stand firm in defence of farming', adding: 'Our sector is ready to do its part, but we need the tools and resources to do it'.
Agriland
21-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
CAP merging proposals slammed as ‘creative accounting'
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has claimed that the European Commission's plans to change the structure of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and merge its funding pillars amounts to 'creative accounting'. Denis Drennan, the association's president, said he had 'little doubt' that the 'manoeuvre' was being employed to 'disguise an effective reduction in one or both funds'. 'The recent comments by commission officials that seemed to indicate a renewal of interest and concern around the security of the EU's food supply can now be discounted as the accountants and bean counters resume control ad overall direction,' Drennan said. 'We have [the] commission…telling everyone that they realise now the importance of funding the farming that feeds the population, while simultaneously and deliberately merging the two farmer and rural-related funds as a precursor to a grandiose announcement of the new total, as if the funding allocated had increased,' he added. 'The whole exercise is as transparent as it is cynical. Drennan said that the CAP is central to Irish and EU agriculture, and that CAP funding has been undermined in successive reforms. 'The EU has a decision to make, whether to protect its food production base that is central to EU food security through a dedicated budget, or abandon that funding system and allow the dismantling of its food production base,' the ICMSA president said. 'That's the choice and the government must clarify its position on this matter and declare it a red line, in the [EU budget] negotiations,' he added. CAP single fund The comments from the ICMSA come after farm organisation protests in Dublin and Brussels against the changes, which, it is understood, will be formally announced by the commission on July. A protest in Dublin yesterday (Tuesday, May 20) was organised by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS). The IFA has warned the commission against 'stripping away the CAP budget in favour of a single fund approach to the EU budget'. The president of ICOS, Edward Carr, has also stressed that CAP is the 'foundation of a sustainable and competitive farming and agri-food sector in Ireland and Europe'.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Farmers protest in Dublin over EU plans to merge Cap budget into single fund
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the group representing co-ops held a protest in Dublin on Tuesday, warning against a plan to to remove the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) budget in favour of a once-off funding approach to the EU budget. Farmers and farming representatives took part in the 'flash action' at the European Commission offices on Tuesday morning. The IFA and Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) protest coincides with a flash action organised by Copa Cogeca, the largest representative union of more than 22 million European farmers in Brussels. The protests come as the EU Commission has put forward proposals to amalgamate Cap into a single fund. READ MORE The move has sparked concern in the agricultural sector, which warns that their funding could be stripped back over the years as it will not be ring-fenced. 'The Cap budget has been in place since the Treaty of Rome, way back in the 1950s, and it was put in place to make sure that we would have food security across Europe, which was paramount and is still paramount today,' Alice Doyle, deputy president of the IFA, said. 'If that budget is subsumed into the main European budget, it can be pilfered at any time, to be used for any purpose. 'We want this ring-fenced, as it has always been from the very beginning, ring-fenced to support farmers across Europe and here in Ireland in particular.' She added: 'If it is not ring-fenced, the income of farmers would be reduced dramatically, because we all depend on that direct payment coming from Europe. That's part of our basic income scheme.' Ms Doyle also raised concern about the knock-on impact for rural Ireland because farmers are based there and 'every penny they earn is spent in rural Ireland'. Edward Carr, a diary farmer from Tipperary, president of the ICOS and chairman of Arrabawn Co-operative, said the Cap budget is being targeted. 'The proposed changes are very concerning for the future of farmers within our country,' Mr Carr said. 'It's concerning because the Cap was brought in few years ago for us as a protection that we produce cheap food. 'It has to be taken into consideration that we are probably one of the best countries on the globe to produce sustainable food in a sustainable manner, while protecting the environment. 'I think it's just come to the stage where farmers have to stand up for themselves and protect themselves. The future of this cheap, sustainable food being produced has to be protected. It's time for Europe to pay more heed to this.' – PA
