Farming - Thurles Information

FSAI Recall Tesco ‘Growers Harvest Garden Peas’ Due To Foreign Body Contamination.

Date: Saturday, 25 November 2023.
Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2023.32.
Product Identification: Growers Harvest Garden Peas product details.
Batch Code: See table shown below.
Country Of Origin: Unknown?

Best Before Date	Batch Codes	Pack size
Jan-25	23196, 23197, 23198, 23199, 23200	900g
Feb-25	23237, 23238, 23239, 23240	900g
Mar-25	23256, 23257, 23258, 23259, 23260, 26261	900g
Apr-25	23275, 23276, 23277	900g

Message: Tesco, on the advice of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), are recalling the above batches of ‘Growers Harvest Garden Peas’, 900g, due to the possible contamination of an unknown type of berry, which may therefore pose a risk to customers, if consumed.

Action Required:
Retailers: Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Farmers Fresh Payments Delay “Completely Unacceptable’ – Francie Gorman.

Farm payments to Achill farmers are suspended.

IFA Presidential candidate, Mr Francie Gorman has said the news that no cleared applicants will be paid until December 1st, is “shattering confidence” amongst farmers; in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s ability to administer schemes and pay them on time.

Last month, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine wrote to farmers stating that payments under various schemes, including ANC, BISS and ECO, would commence in the second half of October.
However, the payment date has now been delayed by a further three weeks.

“Farmers have been informed today that no further cleared applicants will receive any payment until the start of next month,” said Gorman. “This is an unacceptable intrusion into the routine running of farmers’ businesses with commitments to be met at this time of the year, including payments to banks, merchants and Revenue. This shatters confidence in the Department’s ability to administer schemes and pay farmers on time.”

Mr Gorman continued, “Separately, I have learned that the Department has written to 46 farmers in Achill, County Mayo, to inform them that their farm payments are being suspended due to a burning issue that occurred on the island last May. This is a devastating blow to these farmers whose income has already been hammered in one of the most difficult years in recent memory.”

Tipperary Farming Families Feature At 2023 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Two Tipperary Farming Families Featured Among Winners At 2023 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

**Denis and Teresa Bergin, with their son David, who run their family farm in Kilbragh, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.**

The Bergin family, (Who supply Centenerary Thurles Co-op), are from Kilbragh, Cashel were crowned the overall runner up at this year’s ceremony.
Denis and Teresa Bergin, with their son David, run their family farm, supported by their son Keith and daughter Avril. David, a fifth-generation farmer, briefly pursued a career as a jockey before returning to his true passion, dairy farming.
The farm is steeped in history, with the ruins of a 12th-century village standing proudly, preserving a piece of the past. An old church and village on the Bergins’ lane are also part of the farm’s heritage.
The Bergin family preserve the historical buildings that surround them as well as maintaining the land itself. They also won the Environment category.
The family’s love for the herd is obvious through their passionate care of their cows above all else. The Bergins exhibit fantastic family unity, often gathering around the kitchen table where everyone is involved in the decision making on the farm.

**The Lonergan family from Drangan More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary**.

The Lonergan family, (Who supply Tipperary Co-op), are from Drangan More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, won the Lowest Carbon Footprint Award.
John Lonergan lives on the farm with his wife Martina and their daughter Cora. John has harboured a deep passion for farming since the age of 12 years, before officially taking the reins of their family farm as a 27 year old.
John now hopes to pass the farm down to Cora, who shares an equal love for the land. Martina plays an integral role on the farm and the Lonergan’s close-knit relationship fosters a strong partnership between the three. Together, Martina and Cora stand as shining examples of the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture. The Lonergans have witnessed the transformative journey of farming, from the horse and trap era to embracing modern technologies.

Both awards were presented at a special ceremony held in Ballymaloe House Hotel, Shanagarry, Co. Cork.

Traditional Harvest Day Makes Long Awaited Return To Bunratty.

Co. Tipperary lovers of history take note.

Ireland’s agricultural heritage and the Fair Days of the 19th century will be brought to life when ‘Traditional Harvest Day’ returns for the first time since 2017 to Bunratty Folk Park on Sunday next September 17th.

**Traditional threshing machine at work.**

Rural Irish life and traditions from over a century ago will be showcased as part of the family day out, which will feature a display of vintage machinery and tractors, craft demonstrations, and dancers, musicians and performers from across the Banner County. (Co. Clare)

A traditional threshing machine will be put to work giving visitors an insight into how neighbours and friends once gathered during the harvest in the spirit of “meitheal” [Latter Irish word meaning ‘Group‘]. Enthusiasts will be on hand to speak about the evolution of the vintage farm machinery on display on the day, including tractors, and stationary engines. Visitors will also view a range of various ploughs, hay rakes, Root Cutter (Pulper), Turnip and a Mangel Seeder.

The public will be able to witness local craftspeople at work, including Michael Foudy, as he carries on the time-honoured tradition of basket making, Blacksmith Ger Treacy, Elizabeth O’Connor and Geraldine O’Sullivan who will demonstrating the ancient craft of wool spinning, using locally sourced wool, a practice first introduced by Neolithic farmers over 6000 years ago. Bunratty’s ‘Bean an Tí’s’ also will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate the art of bread and butter making and with tasting opportunities for those who pay a visit to the Golden Vale and Loop Head Farmhouses.

As well as so much to see throughout the 26-acre site, there will be entertainment from Sean Nós Singer MacDara Ó Conaola, the Mary Liddy School of Music from Newmarket on Fergus, the Helen Hehir School of Dance, and resident musicians James Anglim and Michael Grogan, while resident Seanchaí Mike ‘Mickey Joe’ Flynn will regale stories of tales of bygone days and traditional ways from Corry’s Pub on the Village Street. At the Old Schoolhouse, located in the Village Street, the school master will be on duty to greet children and adults as they hand over their customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire.

A range of native Irish and Heritage Breeds of animals will be located throughout the Folk Park paddocks on the day, including Irish Red Deer, Peacocks, Highland Cattle, Tamworth Pigs, goats, geese, bronze turkeys and the recently arrived Irish Wolfhounds Míde and Rian.

Ms Marie Brennan, (Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park), commented, “We are delighted to bring back this event after a six-year hiatus and to give everyone, both young and old, a flavour of what life would have been like in Ireland during harvest time at the turn of the 19th century.
The essence of a Harvest Day was bringing communities together, to support, celebrate and toast the end of a good season,” she explained. “Threshing was backbreaking work, which started early in the mornings and continued until the end of the day with neighbours and friends, all gathering to help out. The machine, and all the activity about it, had a special attraction for children. Its moving belts, the noise from inside and the way it put out straw and oats, was as intriguing back then as the latest computer game is today.
We are looking forward to providing a true glimpse of life in rural 19th century Ireland and celebrating the immense sense of community and hospitality that existed during harvest time. Throughout the Folk Park, for example, there will be plenty of activities available to visitors just like during the fairs of old” added Ms. Brennan.

Visit www.bunrattycastle.ie for more on the Traditional Harvest Day. Normal admission rates apply.

Tipperary Farmers Join Protest Outside Fianna Fáil Think-In.

More than 300 farmers are today staging a protest outside the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party think-in in County Tipperary over proposed changes to a nitrates derogation and plans to hold further protests at this week’s Fine Gael meeting in Limerick and at the National Ploughing Championships.

**Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) gather to protest at Horse and Jockey Hotel, outside Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.
*Picture*: *G. Willoughby.*

Members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have gathered at the Horse and Jockey Hotel, outside Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to call on Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to oppose an EU Commission decision to introduce a tightening of rules around the spreading of manure from January next.

Laois farmer and IFA Presidential candidate Mr Francie Gorman said the Minister and his Department were forcing farmers to the brink with the new rules, which he claims would force farmers to reduce their herd and acquire land to abide by the proposed increased limits.

“Farmers will not accept anything less that the nitrates decision being reversed and a total review of banding. Both of these moves combined will have a devastating impact on the smaller family farm, especially fresh milk producers,” commented Mr Gorman.

He continued, “As I informed the Minister at yesterday’s International Sheepdog Trials in Blessington, County Wicklow, the IFA has put forward a credible solution that will help Ireland meet its targets under the nitrates directive and avoid the inevitable loss of jobs and income that the new rules will bring about, if introduced in their current form. The situation is being exacerbated by the fact that an early decision on the CAP strategic plan has led to payments not being made on time.”

Mr Gorman said IFA members will step up their protests unless the Government changes its approach. “We will bring our protest with even greater numbers to the Fine Gael think-in on Friday in Limerick, and we will continue our opposition to the proposed rules at the National Ploughing Championships and at Department of Agriculture offices across the country until such time as the Minister starts fighting for our sector and the 170,000 people that it employs,” he concluded.