Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association » General

IOFGA are recruiting Organic Farm Inspectors

wadminp — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:05:08 +0000

IOFGA are the largest organic certification body in Ireland and we are recuriting 3 part time Organic Farm Inspectors. Applicants must have a third level degree in agricultural science or an equivalent discipline. Third level studies must have included soil science, farm management, animal husbandry, crop production, farm buildings and farm waste management. Please send a relevant CV to Gillian Westbrook, IOFGA, 16A Inish Carrig, Golden Island, Athlone, Co Westmeath on or before Friday 24th of February.

ICSA Sheep Conference

wadminp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:07:43 +0000

The ICSA are hosting a sheep conference in the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge, Carlow on Monday 13th, February from 1-5pm entitled Sheep – Can we keep the momentum going? This will be an informative session for farmers regarding 2012. A host of speakers will there be there on the day including Bord Bia, Craft Butchers of Ireland, National Sheep Association UK. The event will be chaired by Paul Brady, ICSA Sheep Chairman.

The event costs €15 including lunch, to book contact ICSA at 057 8662120

Controlling Parasites in Organic Cattle and Sheep

wadminp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:56:34 +0000

There is an event on March 8th at Greenmount Campuswhich would be beneficial for organic farmers.

This event is not solely for organic farmers and is relevant to all farmers. The event will cost £20(plus vat) for producer members and £35(plus vat) for non-members. This is really to help us cover some of the cost for speaker attendance and catering. Many farmers and advisors attended our “Understanding Soil” event last year and provided some really positive feedback. There is a fantastic panel of knowledgeable experts present again this year and are confident that everyone will get just as much out of this day too. Please note that advanced booking is essential.

Please have a look at the link below for more agenda information, timings and speakers

http://www.soilassociation.org/farmersgrowers/newsandevents/articleid/3035/controlling-parasites-in-organic-cattle-and-sheep-systems-northern-ireland

Teagasc Courses for the Organic Farming Scheme 2012

wadminp — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:13:11 +0000

While we are still waiting for the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine to open the Organic Farming Scheme for 2012 it is advisable for anyone who is interested in joining the scheme to undertake the 25 hour Fetac course as it is part of the mandatory requirements to join the scheme.

Details for the courses are listed below:

Start Date Location

7th February Macroom and Ballina

27th February Ballyhaise

28th February Kilmallock

27th March Castlerea and Tullamore

24th April Athenry and Carlow

All courses run from 10am – 5pm for 4 days. Course fee €220 for bookings and further information contact Helen McNulty, Teagasc, Athenry tel 091 845217

BASF abandon their EU research on GM Crops

wadminp — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:47 +0000

BASF the German multinational is withdrawing its European research on GM crop production citing “red tape in the EU” as the main reason for doing so. It is relocating its development to the US where consumer and legislative opposition is not so strong. This decision is a major set back for the advocates of GM crop production in Europe.

BASF main rival Bayer is continuing its research in Belgium on cotton and rice but not for production within the EU. Chairman of BASF Stephan Marcinowski stated that is did not make business sense to continue investing in products exclusively for the market in the EU because resistance is so high on the part of consumers, politicians and farmers.

Anti GM campaigns take off!

wadminp — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:47:13 +0000

The last few months have seen the lauch of two signigicant anti GM campaigns in Ireland. The no2gm campaign was launched on October 16th. It comprises of a group of organisations (such as IOFGA) and individuals who are running a consumer campaign to educate people about GM food. The campaign co-ordinator is Kitty Scully and their website is www.no2gm.com so contact them for further information.

The second campaign is being run by a concerned grandmother Stella Coffey, who wants people to sign a petition to establish a moratorium on GM crops in Ireland. When concluded the petition will be presented to government. For more information go to www.gm-moratorium.com

IOFGA recruits General Manager

wadminp — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:01:32 +0000

Gillian Westbrook has been appointed in the new position of General Manager for IOFGA. Gillian has a varied background in Trading Standards Food and Agriculture in the UK, auditing in the food service industry, and she has done a lot of work with quality management systems in the food and agri business sector. She has been working with the ICSA since 2008 as an executive researcher. We wish her every success in her role with IOFGA!

IOFGA office relocation

wadminp — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:31:02 +0000

IOFGA have relocated from Newtown Forbes, Co Longford to Athlone. The new address for the office is

IOFGA, 16A Inish Carrig, Golden Island, Athlone, Co Westmeath tel no 090 6433680.

Launch of no2gm campaign a great success!

wadminp — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:58:28 +0000

The no2gm campaign launched successfully in glorious sunshine in the People’s Park on UN World Food Day. Keynote speaker and renowned chef, Clodagh McKenna spoke about her many years working with small Irish food producers and she stressed the hard work involved in producing high quality food products. The contribution of these producers has been extremely important in securing Ireland’s reputation as a good food island.

Clodagh stated that gm cultivation in Ireland would undermine our reputation abroad as a clean and green food island and it is crucial that Ireland does not go down this road. She also spoke about the importance of clear labelling on products that contain gm ingredients because without this information people cannot make an informed choice. Agriculture is currently playing a critical role in our economic recovery and it is important that this continues.

Other speakers at the launch included Jimmy Mulhall of Coolanowle Organic Farm and David Caviston of Caviston’s Food Emporium who both spoke passionately about the importance of keeping Ireland gm free.

With the serious business of the day completed, an environmentally themed puppet show kept both adults and children entertained at the packed Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Food Market in The People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire.

—————–ENDS —————————-

Note to Editor:

no2gm is a non-political, voluntary, not-for-profit organization made up of citizens and organizations who wish to protect our environment and keep Ireland free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

For more information contact:

Kitty Scully

no2gm National Co-ordinator

info@no2gm.com

www.no2gm.com

087 670 5338

no2gm Campaign launches Sunday October 16th!

editor — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:05:57 +0000

Sunday October 16th is UN World International Food Day and to mark it no2gm are offically launching their anti-GM campaign. Renowned chef Clodagh McKenna will open the event at the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Food Market in The People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire at 12 noon.

The launch will take place from 12 noon and will be a fun and informative family event. There will be an information stand, a puppet show, talks by local producers and gm free food tastings. The event is free and all are welcome to attend for more information see www.no2gm.com