European Evaluation Network for Rural Development

March 31, 2009

The rationale for setting up the European Evaluation Network for Rural Development (EENRD) is drawn from the experience with evaluations of rural development programmes carried out during previous programming periods. In the past, the programme evaluations, which fall under the responsibility of the Member States, revealed shortcomings in applying the evaluation guidelines and indicators established [...]

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A simplified CAP for Europe

March 24, 2009

Last week the European Commission published a report outlining the progress already made in simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and re-stated its confidence in meeting its objective of reducing the administrative burden arising from the CAP by 25% by 2012. The report highlights a “number of measures taken over the past three and a half [...]

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A practical seminar on CAP

March 23, 2009

Agra Europe will be holding a two day seminar entitled “A practical seminar on the Common Agricultural Policy: Understanding the Agricultural Policy in Europe” on the 4 - 5 June 2009, Radisson SAS Portman Hotel London.
According to their newsletter, the seminar gives you a comprehensive - but accessible - introduction to The Common Agricultural Policy, [...]

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Projections of Irelands greenhouse gases

March 16, 2009

Last Thursday, the 12th of March 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released projected emissions of Ireland’s greenhouse gases up to 2020, as mandated under the National Climate Change Strategy. These projections update those published in September 2008. They give a picture of Ireland’s ability to meet international targets with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, [...]

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National Rural Networks Meeting: Prague Feb 2009

March 12, 2009

The second meeting of the European National Rural Network providers  (the Rural Development Support Unit being the provider of the Irish National Rural Network) was held on the 13th of February in Prague. The meeting was organised by the EN RD Contact Point, and kindly hosted by the Czech NRN.
Below are links to the [...]

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Glen Tender win JFC Innovation Award

March 12, 2009

The JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business was held in Mullingar last night, Tuesday 10 March 2009. The Awards are organised by Teagasc, the Irish Farmers’ Journal and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and carry an overall prize fund of €40,000 in the form of cash, business mentoring and promotion. [...]

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New degree programme in Dairy Business launched at UCD

March 10, 2009

Dr David Beehan, Chief Agricultural Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, today (Monday 09 March 2009) launched a new degree programme in Dairy Business at University College Dublin. The new degree commences next September and was developed by UCD and Teagasc, with guidance from industry.
“If you need to be convinced of the [...]

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Teagasc say Forestry an Attractive On-farm Enterprise

March 10, 2009

“There has never been a better time to consider forestry than now. Very attractive grants cover the full cost of forest establishment and annual payments of up to €774 per hectare, tax free, are available to REPS farmers participating in FEPS, the Forest Environment Protection Scheme,” said John Casey, Teagasc adviser, speaking today Tuesday 10 [...]

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Soils suffering the consequences of climate change

March 10, 2009

According to the latest edition of research*eu,  soils are suffering the consequences of climate change in terms of erosion and dryness. Evolving temperatures and humidity are disrupting soil composition and behaviour. Soils themselves are also contributing to these atmospheric mechanisms. By overexploiting the soil, humans are triggering a time bomb with an uncertain detonation schedule.
Alongside [...]

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CAP “Health Check”

March 4, 2009

Hot on the heals of the previous post entitled CAP Explained, comes this post on the CAP “Health Check”, announced on the 20th of November 2008. According to the European Commission, the Health Check comprises of a series of measures that seek to “modernise, simplify and streamline the CAP and remove restrictions on farmers, [...]

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