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The Department of Agriculture is set to leave its Dockgate Street office and is likely to move to new premises in Galway city, but there is anger amongst county farmers that it will not relocate to Athenry.

Cllr Harry Barrett has questioned the recent announcement of a €2 billion investment by NAMA, which has pledged to spend the money on a variety of building projects around the country. The Labour councillor wants to see funds from NAMA spread around the country and invested instead in agriculture, fish farming, and renewable energy projects in Mayo and not on derelict sites in urban areas.

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed indications from the secretary general of the Department of Agriculture Tom Moran that the Agri-Environment Options Scheme may be reopened this year. Mr Moran made the comments to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture last week, just weeks after the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney admitted that he is not considering reopening the scheme. Deputy Calleary said: “There was much anger and upset among thousands of farmers in Mayo and across the west last month when Minister Coveney said there would be no new AEOS scheme this year. It will come as a huge relief to them if the Minister rows back on this, as indicated now by the secretary general of his Department.

Killala Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly welcomed the allocation of €112,500 to re-develop Kilcummin slipway in Carrowmore-Lacken. The allocation from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Simon Coveney will allow the construction of a new slipway and turning area, as well as the repair of the storm wall which collapsed over the winter.

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed indications from the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture Tom Moran that the Agri-Environment Options Scheme may be reopened this year. Mr Moran made the comments to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture last week, just weeks after the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney admitted that he is not considering reopening the scheme. Deputy Calleary said, “There was much anger and upset among thousands of farmers in Mayo and across the West last month when Minister Coveney said there would be no new AEOS scheme this year. It will come as a huge relief to them if the Minister rows back on this, as indicated now by the Secretary General of his Department.

Ireland’s oceans are an extraordinary natural resource with massive potential yet to be tapped, according to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, who was speaking at a national marine economy conference held in Malahide, Co Dublin, on Tuesday last.

A new structured mentoring initiative where the expertise of leading indigenous food and drink companies will be shared with small food firms was launched this week at Bord Bia’s Small Business Open Day. More than 120 food companies gathered in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin, to hear how global food and drink companies such as Glanbia, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Kepak, Bulmers, and Kraft will offer their advice and expertise to small food firms in the key areas of business strategy, account management, and logistics. The mentoring programme will be coordinated by Bord Bia in cooperation with FDII (Food and Drink Industry Ireland).

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring has has said that the agri-food sector is on course for another strong year, following bumper export results for 2011. The Minister of State also confirmed that 98% of Single Farm Payments have been paid to farmers in County Mayo with outstanding payments set to be processed as quickly as possible.

Diagnosing cancer, maintaining a healthy gut, and improving baby formula are just some of the challenges which glycoscience researchers at NUI Galway are undertaking.

This award was presented to Cait Curran earlier this month in recognition of her work in producing, training, and supporting local organic foods. Cait Curran has her own stall at the Saturday Galway market and she has been the project manager for Garrai na Oileain, an association promoting organic market gardening in offshore islands. She is also involved in the slow food movement and is editor of Organic Matters, a magazine dedicated to all things organic. The award was presented by Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine Simon Coveney. Feasta Bia is all about local food production and consumption, and through various initiatives it hopes to help increase these areas by 20 per cent over the next few years.