Latest news with #IFA
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Report: New finance models needed to ‘de-risk' climate adaptation costs on farms
The processor-farmer relationship offers 'significant potential to drive climate transformation in the Irish agri-food sector, according to a new research report published today (Friday, May 30) by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). In the report 'Farm to Finance: The Processor–Farmer Nexus in Ireland's Agricultural Climate Transition', the IIEA said that the sector faces 'unique challenges' in balancing its climate targets against future competitiveness. But the author of the report, Matthew G. O' Neill, put forward that new 'hybrid financing models' are needed to de-risk investment by farmers because of the high costs associated with climate adaptation and mitigation measures. He also highlighted that agriculture accounts for 37.8% of Ireland's national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which puts pressure on both processors and farmers in the sector to decarbonise. The report stated that the credibility of climate action within Irish agri-food systems 'rests on a good monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system'. In a list of recommendations contained in the report, one outlined that platforms such as Teagasc's AgNav be further developed as independent, farmer-trusted systems, with transparent data governance, consent-based data sharing, and tangible feedback mechanisms to participating farmers. The IIEA also advised that blended finance models, sovereign-backed transition bonds, and tailored green loan products could be aligned with 'sector specific realities' to facilitate access for smaller farms. The third recommendation the report made was to promote the fairer distribution of transition costs across the food chain. It claims that sustainably linked price signals should be strengthened through voluntary and regulatory mechanisms. According to the report, expanding sustainability incentive structures, integrating technologies with safeguards, and sustaining legitimacy and commitment. IIEA report The IIEA hosted a panel discussion about the report in Dublin today (Mayo 30). Participants on the panel included the Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) chief economist, Tadhg Buckley, Irish Business and Employers' Confederation's (IBEC) Dale Crammond, farmer and Talamh Beo representative, Ailbhe Gerrard and Agriland, deputy news editor, Francess McDonnell. IFA economist Buckley believes that the relationship between farmers and processors is 'incredibly integrated'. He said: 'Something we often don't realise is that the vast majority of farmers in Ireland don't actually interact with consumers. 'Their interaction with the marketplace is through their processor. So the processor plays a huge role in the overall framework.' 'In terms of incentivising farmers to the sustainability challenge, that relationship is absolutely integral, it's the most important relation of all actually, it's the processor farmer relationship,' Buckley added. IBEC's director of meat industry claimed that processors have to do 'everything they can' to try and advance the sustainability agenda. He believes the consumer has a significant influence on the relationship between the processor and the farmer. Crammond said: 'The price (consumers) are prepared to pay for sustainably produced products, my concern would be that there is a limit to that. 'We've seen a very significant increase in the price of beef, but that has created a challenge for the processing sector, in terms of being able to get those returns back in the marketplace,' the IBEC director explained. Source IIEA During the discussion on the report Ailbhe Grogan, representing Talamh Beo, also commented on key theme identified in the report highlighted the role that the retailer plays in the food processing chain. She said: 'With the centralisation of meat processing in larger and larger factories, I would love to see an EU supported and national government supported mobile abattoir for animal welfare that go to the farms. 'I think that there is absolutely a place for decentralising and denationalise things, quite a lot of it.' 'It takes time, it takes effort, it takes input and I would love to see the retailers and the meat processing industry talking with farmers, because farmers would like to have more options for animal kills and and more local processing,' Grogan added.
Iraqi News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Iraq intensify World Cup qualifier preparations under Arnold
Basra ( – The Iraqi national football team, under new head coach Graham Arnold, is undergoing strict and intensive training in Basra as they gear up for two make-or-break 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. IFA member Ghalib Al-Zamili confirmed Arnold's focused approach on Friday (May 30, 2025). With 27 players currently in camp at Basra Sports City, Arnold is emphasizing optimal preparation and eliminating errors, expressing satisfaction with player morale and the training facilities. A crucial competitive training match is scheduled for tonight (Friday, 7:30 PM) at the main stadium, after which Arnold will finalize his squad, cutting at least four players. The Lions of Mesopotamia face South Korea in Basra on June 5th, followed by an away clash with Jordan on June 10th. Currently third in their qualifying group, Iraq critically needs to secure all six points from these final two encounters to guarantee direct qualification for the World Cup. Arnold has stressed the importance of mental focus for these high-stakes games as Iraq aims to book its ticket to the global showpiece.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Lessons for retail investors from Sinarmas Land's revised higher privatisation offer
The only way to ensure higher exit prices is if all minority shareholders band together and explicitly reject offers that are thought to be too low, thus forcing an upward revision. PHOTO: BT FILE SINGAPORE – When a privatisation offer was made for Indonesian property developer Sinarmas Land at 31 cent s per share at the end of March, there was a general sense of outrage among minority shareholders at what was perceived to be a lowball, poor bid price. The Securities Investors Association (Singapore), or Sias, shared this view. When the independent financial adviser's (IFA) opinion was released in mid-April, Sias noted that the IFA had said the offer was 'not fair'. Sias also disagreed with the IFA's fair valuation range of 35 cents to 36.1 cents , because these prices represented too large a discount to the net asset value (NAV) per share of 85 cents . Sias also said it did not endorse the IFA's advice to Sinarmas' independent directors to advise shareholders to accept the offer; instead, Sias advised minority shareholders to not only reject the 'lowball'' price but also called upon the offeror to raise its price closer to the NAV. It is not uncommon for some IFAs to deem an offer as 'unfair' or 'unreasonable' and yet recommend that the offer be accepted, a development that upsets shareholders. This is despite the fact that the regulatory position is that the offer has to be both 'fair and reasonable'. As the major shareholder cannot vote on the privatisation offer, the minority shareholders alone decide on the fairness of it. In many cases, minority shareholders rush to accept a lowball offer. The IFA handling the Sinarmas offer had initially defended its valuation methodology. But on May 10, the offeror raised the price by 21 per cent to 37.5 cents – a significant improvement. This was after Sias objected to the lowball offer. There are valuable lessons retail investors can draw from the episode. Always wait for the IFA's opinion before deciding From the time the Sinarmas offer was made but before th e IFA's report was issued, shareholders owning some 22 per cent of the company's shares accepted the original offer of 31 cents . This was disappointing. This meant that even before the public had an independent assessment of the fairness and reasonableness of the 31 cents , the offeror, who started off with 70 per cent of Sinarmas, had already acquired around 92 per cent of the shares, crossing the 90 per cent threshold for the automatic suspension of trading. The question shareholders should have asked themselves is: 'Why rush to sell?' If the 22 per cent of shareholders who sold were concerned about eventually owning shares in an unlisted entity, they need not have worried since the delisting rules state clearly that exit prices must be both 'fair and reasonable' for a company to be taken private. So, selling early made little difference to the final outcome and in fact could perhaps even have jeopardised the chances of securing a better price. Furthermore, even if the free float drops below 10 per cent and trading is supposed to be suspended, this does not have to occur immediately since the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has the discretion to suspend the counter or not. The fact that Sinarmas has continued to trade since April 23 despite its free float falling below 10 per cent is testimony to this. Once again, waiting made more sense. Carefully evaluate the IFA's assumptions and make up your own mind IFAs are professional market participants and no doubt exercise the utmost care and due diligence when arriving at their conclusions. However, minority shareholders should note that there is a tendency by IFAs to take a cautious approach when it comes to applying certain valuation methodologies. In some instances, as in the case of Sinarmas, the outcome might be perceived to favour offerors. Sias' objection to the original price was not only based on the large discount to NAV but also because of a 'double discount' that the IFA applied in valuing Sinarmas' unlisted assets: first, 37 per cent to the sum-of-the-parts valuation and then a further 20 per cent 'holding company' discount. The IFA responded that both are in line with accepted industry practice: the first discount because of the difficulties associated with realising the full value of the assets in private markets, and the second because Sinarmas is only an investment holding firm with little management control over the assets in question. It also said the two discounts are conceptually different or mutually exclusive. Notwithstanding these arguments, shareholders should note that according to Sias' estimates, the removal of the two discounts would have increased the offer price by only around 10 cents to 41 cent s – still a very generous 52 per cent discount to NAV. So had the discounts not been applied, minority shareholders would have been much better off – and therefore a lot happier – and the offeror would still have been left with plenty of room to extract value. The lesson here is that investors should understand that there are many ways to arrive at a fair and reasonable price. They should therefore question the reasonableness of all assumptions when presented with an opinion and make up their own minds before acting. They should also take heed of the guidance given by Sias or seek advice from a financial adviser in these cases. Base decision on your financial position It is worth remembering that an exit offer which is unattractive to one person may be attractive to another because everyone's entry point into the stock and financial position is different. After evaluating what is on offer together with the IFA's opinion and Sias' input if any, then and only then should shareholders make a decision on their shares, taking into consideration their own unique circumstances. In the final analysis, the only way to ensure higher exit prices is if all minority shareholders band together and explicitly reject offers that are thought to be too low, thus forcing an upward revision. Although ideal, the reality is that achieving this may be difficult. Until a better solution is found, minority shareholders should try to familiarise themselves with the issues surrounding privatisations and delistings – and Sinarmas makes a good case study. The writer is president of the Securities Investors Association (Singapore). Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Morphy Richards Expands into Central America with First Brand Experience Store
LONDON, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In May 2025, UK home appliance leader Morphy Richards has launched its Central American presence with the opening of its premier brand experience store. The flagship location has seen overwhelming consumer enthusiasm, validating strong demand for the brand's innovative offerings. "Consumers here are drawn to Morphy Richards' British heritage and innovative design," stated a key Central American distribution partner. "We're confident the products will resonate widely and plan to steadily expand the local lineup, bringing a blend of classic and innovative appliances into consumers' lives." This landmark store marks Morphy Richards' first dedicated retail footprint outside mainland China, strategically designed to deepen engagement and gather direct insights to enhance products and services. The expansion momentum continues: in parallel, Morphy Richards has successfully launched in Taiwan China via a crowdfunding campaign on the Zeczec. This market entry has yielded highly encouraging initial results, signaling strong potential. Aligned with its focus on emerging and high-potential blue ocean markets, Morphy Richards is accelerating global expansion, having recently entered Vietnam, Romania, Poland, Russia, and the UAE. The company reaffirms its commitment to innovation, with new product unveilings planned for IFA 2025.
Agriland
6 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Farm org: Cooperation with UK ‘step forward' for potato seed sector
The Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) potato chair, Sean Ryan has said that the re-establishment of closer trade relations between the EU and the UK is a 'step forward' for the potato seed trade. The EU and the UK have agreed to start negotiations on a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal on sanitary, phytosanitary, food safety and other products which will allow the trade of seed potato to re-commence. Ryan said: 'A new SPS agreement will now need to be put in place, the timeframe for which has not yet been disclosed. 'The ambition of the trade deal will be to make trade easier. However, the devil will be in the detail.' According to the IFA, prior to Brexit, Ireland was heavily reliant on the UK market for potato seed, and imported approximately 6,000t each year. The farming organisation said it has 'extensively lobbied' for a temporary derogation to allow seed to be imported from Scotland since Brexit. It also met with Irish MEPs in Brussels last November (2024), and in March (2025), and presented a joint letter to the EU Commission, through Copa Cogeca, requesting a temporary derogation. 'The IFA will continue to advocate for the expansion of the Irish potato seed sector, but this will take time and additional investment. A temporary derogation to allow seed from Scotland is necessary,' Ryan explained. Potato seed Last week (May 19), the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen called the 'historic' EU – UK summit a success. President von der Leyen met with British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer in London for the first EU – UK summit since the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The commission president believes that the EU and the UK are 'opening a new chapter in a unique relationship' with the summit. According to President von der Leyen, a decision has been made to facilitate trade flows of agri-food products between the EU and the UK. She said: 'It means more certainty and more stability for our farmers, food producers and fishermen and fisherwomen on both sides of the channel. Safer food, with greater trust from consumers. 'Together with the Windsor Framework, this will bring additional benefits for Northern Ireland. It will further ease the movement of agri-food goods between Britain and Northern Ireland.' 'Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy dual access to both the EU single market and the UK internal market,' von der Leyen added.
