Latest news with #BordBiaQualityAssurance
Agriland
14 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Paperwork pressure tops Irish farmers' concerns
Irish farmers are facing unprecedented levels of bureaucracy, with 60% naming rules and regulations as their biggest challenge, according to the IFAC Irish Farm Report 2025. This concern outranks even rising input costs (54%) and weather unpredictability (48%), highlighting the growing administrative burden on the sector. From Bord Bia Quality Assurance to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) scheme requirements, farmers are expected to keep meticulous records on everything from animal remedies to feed purchases, herd movements, and farm safety checks. While these regulations are intended to maintain high standards and secure market access, the sheer volume of paperwork is eroding valuable on-farm time. In recent years, compliance demands have multiplied: Scheme participation: Each grant or payment from BISS (Basic Income Support for Sustainability) to TAMS (Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes) comes with detailed documentation and strict deadlines. Bord Bia audits: Farmers must produce complete up-to-date records instantly during inspections. Farmers must produce complete up-to-date records instantly during inspections. Environmental requirements: Nitrates derogation limits, water quality measures, and climate action plans all require accurate logging of inputs and outputs. Without an organised system, these records can become scattered across paper files, notebooks, and spreadsheets, making audits a source of stress and, in some cases, financial penalties. Falling short on paperwork does not just mean a bit of extra hassle. It can delay scheme payments, lead to grant penalties, or even put a farm's quality assurance status at risk. For farmers relying on these payments to keep cashflow steady, a small oversight can turn into a major headache. That is why many are now looking for ways to bring all their records under one roof, preferably in a format that can be updated on the go, not just at the kitchen table after dark. This is where Herdwatch has been gaining ground. Instead of shuffling through binders and boxes of receipts, farmers can log their records on a phone, tablet, or computer as they go. Here is how it changes the game: No more backlogs: Treatments, feed purchases, calf registrations - enter them instantly while you are still in the yard Treatments, feed purchases, calf registrations - enter them instantly while you are still in the yard Audit in minutes, not hours : Generate a full report for an inspection at the click of a button, with no need to hunt for old files. : Generate a full report for an inspection at the click of a button, with no need to hunt for old files. One place for everything : From breeding records to safety checks, it is all stored securely in the cloud. : From breeding records to safety checks, it is all stored securely in the cloud. Works with farm tech: If you use EID readers or weigh heads, the data flows straight into Herdwatch without extra typing. Co. Galway suckler farmer Donal Canniffe. Source: Herdwatch For many Herdwatch users, the biggest benefit is simple - peace of mind. One of them is Co. Galway suckler farmer Donal Canniffe, who has found that the app takes much of the sting out of red tape and makes compliance far less of a headache. He said: 'Before Herdwatch, the thought of an audit was enough to cause serious stress. "Now, with Herdwatch, getting ready for an audit is the easiest part of the job.' That confidence is worth a lot in a sector where rules are tightening and inspections can be unannounced. The IFAC report makes it clear: Irish farming is battling a paperwork overload. But with the right tools, compliance does not have to be an energy drain. Herdwatch offers farmers a way to stay on top of regulations without sacrificing time, accuracy, or peace of mind. Join over 20,000 farmers across Ireland and the UK simplifying farm paperwork and improving farm performance.
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
AIB targeting SMEs with green loans of up to €100k
The new loan is being launched with a variable interest rate of 4.95pc for amounts between €2,000 to a maximum of €100,000 repayable over between one and seven years. The loan product is available to support businesses investing in a wide array of green and transition measures including renewable energy systems, building upgrades, forestry, green buildings (commercial and residential), zero-emission vehicles, circular economy and waste management. The new Business Sustainability Loan is available to all businesses including farmers, clubs, trusts and charities Applications can be made in branch, through advisers or on the phone, with quick decision-making and e-signing, the bank said. Green lending has become a key focus for AIB, from mortgages to major corporate clients, as well as the new SME product. Greening your business can help reduce costs AIB's managing director, retail banking, Geraldine Casey, said the new loan offering aims to support owners investing in the future of their business. 'Greening your business can help reduce costs, drive efficiencies and competitiveness, attract new customers and staff, and, vitally, protect businesses against future climate risks,' Ms Casey added. To qualify for the new loans, customers will be required to provide evidence of eligibility such as an invoice or valid BER certificate, to confirm that the purpose of the loan request aligns to the criteria of the loan. Agri businesses must show evidence of membership in one of a number of existing environmental schemes including Bord Bia Quality Assurance. So-called green lending remains a niche, if growing, share of banks' businesses. Among consumers, the value of green personal loans jumped by 56.8pc since 2023 to €30.2m in the last quarter of 2024, figures published in May by the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) showed. The number of green loans increased by 48.7pc over the same time to a total of 1,326 in a three-month period. The average green loan was 'relatively high' at €22,795 in quarter four, which was more than twice the average of €10,425 for all loans.
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Job hopes as leading Monaghan food producer lodges plans for second major expansion in 18 months
Greenfield Foods Ltd employs in the region of 100 people at its purpose built premises on the outskirts of Smithborough. Company bosses want to add a single storey extension to the rear of its premises to also include an additional loading area. The plans also provide for a single storey detached package storage building and pallet storage equivalent. Those deigns come hot on the heels of planning approval it received in May for two extensions it had lodged the previous February. They provided for a single storey extension to the rear of its existing facility to introduce additional loading and storage areas. The second part of the company's development plans comprised moves to develop a two storey extension to the front and side of its main offices. The firm stated the plans were being devised to provide additional office and storage space. In its ruling, Monaghan County Council approved the submission on the proviso seven conditions are complied with. The planned development is not the first time Ireland's largest egg packing centre has been the subject of extensive expansion plans. The company's packing centre was originally developed in 1998 and further extended in 2005 with the operation now accounting for 45pc of all eggs produced under the Bord Bia Quality Assurance standard nationwide. In 2011, the packing centre was further refurbished, resulting in the replacement of grading equipment with the newest technology available, including automatic dirt, crack and inclusion detection. A decision on the company's latest expansionary plans is expected to be made on or before August 4.
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Jobs boost on the cards as leading Monaghan food producer lodges plans for second major expansion inside 18 months
Greenfield Foods Ltd employs in the region of 100 people at its purpose built premises on the outskirts of Smithborough. Company bosses want to add a single storey extension to the rear of its premises to also include an additional loading area. The plans also provide for a single storey detached package storage building and pallet storage equivalent. Those deigns come hot on the heels of planning approval it received in May for two extensions it had lodged the previous February. They provided for a single storey extension to the rear of its existing facility to introduce additional loading and storage areas. The second part of the company's development plans comprised moves to develop a two storey extension to the front and side of its main offices. The firm stated the plans were being devised to provide additional office and storage space. In its ruling, Monaghan County Council approved the submission on the proviso seven conditions are complied with. The planned development is not the first time Ireland's largest egg packing centre has been the subject of extensive expansion plans. The company's packing centre was originally developed in 1998 and further extended in 2005 with the operation now accounting for 45pc of all eggs produced under the Bord Bia Quality Assurance standard nationwide. In 2011, the packing centre was further refurbished, resulting in the replacement of grading equipment with the newest technology available, including automatic dirt, crack and inclusion detection. A decision on the company's latest expansionary plans is expected to be made on or before August 4.
