Delegation from Irish Grain Growers to visit Brussels next week

Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG) representative, Bobby Miller
Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG) representative, Bobby Miller

A delegation from the Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG), led by chairperson Bobby Miller, will visit Brussels next week.

A number of meetings with Irish Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives from the European Commission have been scheduled.

Booby Miller commented: “The full itinerary for the visit has yet to be finalised. However, meetings with MEPs Sean Kelly and Barry Cowen will take place.”

He added: “We have a number of key issues to address while in Brussels. These include the iniquity of not including grain imports as part of the opposition to the [EU-Mercosur Trade Deal].

“There is a fundamental issue arising within the Mercosur debate, and it’s this: Why should feed and food be treated as separate issues?

“This is a fundamentally flawed approach to take.”

The three-person IGGG team will also be discussing the upcoming review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Miller said: "Momentum is already building in this regard, where Brussels is concerned. The issue of basic payment convergence and the impact this is having on the Irish tillage sector will be our number one priority when it comes to discussions on the future of the CAP.

“IGGG also wants to see less red tape confronting farmers into the future. It’s imperative that Irish tillage farmers are allowed to become more competitive on world markets.

“This issue has become even more relevant given this week’s inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States," the IGGG chairperson said.

Meanwhile, IGGG will be confirming a rescheduled date for its 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) over the coming days.

Originally planned for tomorrow (Friday, January 24) in Portlaoise, the event was postponed due to the weather-related threat posed by Storm Éowyn.

Miller said: "Realistically, we are looking at a February date now. A committee meeting will be held next week to decide on the matter.

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“We will try to find a date that fits in with the diary of MEP Barry Cowen. He had previously agreed to speak at our January 24 event.”

The Irish Grain Growers Group is also hoping to meet Ireland’s new agriculture minister as a matter of priority.

Miller said: "If we can combine the meeting with the minister and our annual general meeting, all the better.

“This opens up the possibility of the minister also addressing IGGG members.”

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