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INAGH cheesemakers, Siobhan Ni Ghairbhigh and John Harrington are celebrating this week, having scooped two major awards at the first Bord Bia organic competition.

The couple – who make St Tola Or- ganic Goat’s Cheese – were singled out for the overall best organic prod- uct prize as well as an award for best chilled/frozen product.

“We were absolutely delighted, par- ticularly because it wasn’t an award in a restricted section. We were up against everything from babyfood to full meals’, said Siobhan.

The couple have won many awards for their cheese in the past, and say they owe a huge part of their success to their four full time staff, Petru and Carmen Gal, Grainne Casey and

Guillemette Allut.

“Without them we couldn’t have achieved so much,” said Siobhan.

The couple said they were de- lighted even before the awards were announced “as these awards are a recognition of the importance of the organic food industry.”

St Tola has been made in Inagh since the early 1980’s. Originally made by Meg and Derrick Gordon, the business was taken over by their neighbour, Siobhan in 1999.

Since then, new premises have been built, the process has been brought up to HACCUP standards and in 2001, St. Tola became a registered organic producer with I.O.F.G.A, The Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association. Both the farm and the cheesemaking operation are inspected individually, by LO.F.G.A

inspectors, twice a year.

Among the awards which St Tola has previously won are: 2006 British Cheese Awards gold and bronze med- als, 2005 Irish Farmhouse Cheese gold and bronze awards, 2005 IFEX Awards, bronze award, 2004 Irish Farmhouse Cheese Awards, Su- preme Champion and gold awards, 2002 British Cheese Awards, gold medal.

The awards, organised by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, attracted more than 7/0 entries.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Seay UCM Oe A WALD RDUMAEloMo Nl et-velee trade and consumer awareness of Irish organic capabilities and cre- ate a platform for organic producers to demonstrate the broad range and high quality of products available.

“Organic food is one of the fastest erowing segments of the European food market and has a growth rate of 15% -20% in Ireland,’ he said.

“Bord Bia will continue to work with and support the organic sector with significant optimism towards its further development in Ireland.”

Mr Cotter said Bord Bia, in con- sultation with the Organic Market Development Group (OMDG), has drawn up a three-year marketing plan for the development of Ireland’s organic food market.

GORT sisters are doing it for them- od Aone

GWEN (Gort Women’s Equality Network) is looking for women to participate in a study that will define women’s equality needs in the Gort region.

The aim of the study is to identify barriers to women being able to par- ticipate in decision-making process- es at local level. It will also explore barriers as to why more women do not, or cannot avail of further educa- tion or participate in the workforce.

Programme organisers said that the

most important aim of this study 1s to give women a voice.

The programme was created by Dr. Niamh Clune and Douglas Johnson of GRACE (Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Environment) in partnership with the Family Re- source Centre. Initially, a group of women were invited to participate in a training programme designed to enable them to conduct a women’s equality study, which will then be submitted to Pobal.

Pobal manage programmes on be- half of the Irish government and the EU. The study will help inform fu- ture policy in the National Develop-

ment Plan.

The training programme received by the newly formed women’s net- work (GWEN) means they will be able to conduct PLA (Participatory Learning and Action), which is an innovative way of gathering informa- tion. It is hoped that all participants in this process will feel involved and empowered, whilst at the same time, learning new skills. The whole programme is designed to build con- fidence in women who might oth- erwise not have the chance to voice their concerns. This exercise is to discover some of the issues as to why women might feel marginalised or

unable to participate in new oppor- MUD AVL Cone

GWEN will host two public meet- ings on Wednesday September 19 from 7.30pm-9pm and Thursday September 20 from1lam-12.30pm in the Lady Gregory Hotel. The reason for the two meetings 1s to facilitate the kind of flexibility necessary to enable all women interested in at- tending. “It is a chance for women to voice their needs and help to influ- ence government policy in relation to woman’s place in our society,’ organisers said. For further informa- tion, please contact: 0863381773, or just turn up.

A NORTH Clare painting school has played host to Ireland’s first ever out- door painting competition.

The contest, open to amateurs, was organised by the Burren Painting Siem EM (ss).

28 amateur artists travelled from all over the country to participate in the event, which was based in three locations.

Competitors were given the choice of three venues where they could paint – Whitethorn in Ballyvaughan, Ballinalacken Castle and Hotel near Lisdoonvarna and Liscannor Har- lereltbe

They were given the opportunity to participate in three different catego-

ries – oils and acrylics; watercolours and pastel gouache or mixed media.

Organiser Chris O’Neill, who has run the painting centre for the past RUA er VEIN EMO SD ETA a LKore MAY aU OMB OComCLU (Or cess of the event.

This year’s competition was open to amateurs only and Ms O’Neill now plans to include a professional category next year.

“T had heard a little bit about some- thing similar that goes on in Amer- ica. We run an outdoor painting course here and I thought there was very little opportunity for reasonable good amateurs to show their work and meet with a challenge. There is quite a lot for professionals but there isn’t for those who are not profes- sionals,” she said.

“Next year, I might have a catego- ry for the professional section,” she added.

“This is the first time an outdoor painting competition has been done in Ireland.

“The whole concept was that peo- ple came on the one day. They reg- istered in the morning, went out to one of three sites and get an idea into their heads on what is available,’ she said.

Margaret Kent from Wexford was the overall winner. Using oils, she painted a picture featuring the Bur- ren. Mark Doughlas-Smith from Killanena won in the mixed media category, while Joan Turner from the UK received first prize in the wa- tercolour section. All received cash

prizes and vouchers from various art material shops.

Lady Alison Ross travelled to Lisdoonvarna from Birr Castle, to present the prizes to all of the win- ners.

Ms O’Neill was particularly im- pressed by one disabled participant who travelled from the midlands in his wheelchair, and went home with a merit award!

‘His carer had to squeeze out the paint before he started, as he hasn’t the power in his hands. He was just fantastic,’ she said.

The event took several months to organise and Ms O’Neill is optimis- tic that next year’s competition will again attract the interests of several artists.

THE North Clare Farm Family Support Service will be running a number of individual Skills Training Courses specifically for farmers over the coming months.

These will be of specific benefit to those who are planning on get- ting an off-farm job, setting up their own business or who just want to

gain some extra skills for use on the eee

The courses on offer will include Welding, Landscaping, Bog oak carving, Basic computers, Comput- ers for farmers, Grow your own fruit and veg, Childcare, Care of the Eld- erly and CV preparation.

The first four courses listed will be of 40 hours duration, growing your own fruit and veg will be 50 hours

and the CV preparation skills eight hours. The Childcare and Caring for the Elderly courses will be provided by Mary Immaculate College in Lis- doonvarna and consist of approxi- mately eight hours per week over two years leading to a FETAC level 5 Certificate.

The courses, which are free to farm- ers receiving or eligible for Farm As- sist, are currently being finalised and

will commence on the last week of September.

They will continue over the win- ter months at locations around north ET Ke

However, places on all courses are limited and farmers are advised to immediately contact Gerry McDon- agh, Rural Development Officer at 065 7072467 or 086 8544036 to book their place.

EU Enivironment Committee pro- posals aimed at restricting and re- ducing the use of all crop protection products by 50 per cent over the next ten years have been condemned by the IFA President Padraig Walshe.

In astatement this week, Mr Walshe announced that there is “no scien- tific justification whatsoever” for the proposals to reduce the use of her- bicides, fungicides and insecticides in the agricultural, horticultural and amenity sectors.

He also declared that “all crop pro-

tection products currently used in the EU are fully approved as safe by the competent EU authorities, who al- ready apply the highest standards in the world.

“It 1s a matter of grave concern to farmers that products that are scien- tifically proven to be safe would be subject to non-science-based restric- aCe) ee

Continuing his address the Presi- dent said, “The proposed measures are draconian and will severely limit cereal and horticultural crop produc- tion potential in Ireland and across the EU, at atime when stocks are ata

thirty year low and this is resulting in higher food prices. These measures will further reduce the competitive- ness of EU agriculture and ironically lead to a dependence on imports from non-EU countries, with much lower phytosanitary and environ- mental standards than the EU.

“Irish farmers are professional us- ers of crop protection products as evidenced by ongoing EU monitor- ing programmes.

Imposing regulations based on per- ceptions rather than science is non- sensical and will result in lower qual- ity produce with avoidable insect and

plant disease damage.”

Finally Mr Walshe warned that “the EU Parliament Environment Committee is putting the cart before the horse. They would be better em- ployed investigating viable alterna- tive strategies based on science, if they wish to reduce pesticide use. Suggesting that we revert to 1930s- style agriculture 1s not sustainable.

“Putting unnecessary obstacles in the way of safe food production at a time when global demand for food is increasing poses a real threat to the security of quality food supply in Europe.”

THE people of Ballynacally were in celebratory mode last night as the village scooped a county Endeavour award, at the national Tidy Towns competition.

Ballynacally increased its points from last year by 21, from 250 to 271. In doing so, the area recorded the single biggest improvement in Clare and won the Endeavour award for the second time, having first scooped it five years ago.

Frank Gavin, who is a member of

the hardworking Tidy Towns com- mittee, said everybody is thrilled with the results. ;

“It’s thanks to the residents, FAS and everybody that contributed. It was decided not to enhance the area too much, not to overdo it, and keep the village character,” said Mr Gavin. “Obviously it’s paying divi- dends. Flowers and colour can do a lot,” he said.

A committee of six people spear- headed the campaign to keep the area neat and tidy. They were backed by people living in the area. “We or-

ganised work evenings on Thursdays and some people turned out. We were delighted with that. The aim is to continue on and do well,” he said.

Mr Gavin said winning the En- deavour award was a huge reward for locals. “We are delighted with this award. We have been doing well in the Clare in Bloom competition for the past few years,” he said.

Kilkee also showed a remarkable improvement, with its points tally in- creasing from 256 to 270. That was the second highest increase in any part of Clare, when compared to last

year’s figures.

Secretary of the Tidy Towns com- mittee in Kilkee, Pauline Barry said she was thrilled with the result.

“Over the years, we have had major problems with Hodge’s Green and Allander’s Field. Major work has been done on both of those areas. They had previously been two ma- jor blackspots. I’m sure the marks in those areas increased,” she said.

“We are hoping to keep it going. The aim is to identify projects for the coming year, now that those have been completed,’ she added.

KILRUSH is Ireland’s tidiest small town with a population of 2,501 to 5,000 people. The west Clare capital was awarded the gold medal in the National Tidy Towns competition having received the highest marks in the Category D section.

Members of the hard-working Tidy Towns committee were celebrating, having secured the coveted gold af- ter two years of winning silver. For the committee and the town council it was a huge ambition achieved.

According to Murt Collins, Chair-

person of the Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee, “Key to our progress in the Tidy Towns scheme has been the partnership approach that we adopted some years ago. There is a broad range of groups and organi- sations now involved in promoting and enhancing the appearance of the town including the local Tidy Towns committee, FAS schemes, outdoor and clerical staff from Kilrush Town Council, the local business sector and the community of Kilrush.” Kilrush Town Clerk, Fiona Mooney said taking part in the Tidy Towns competition has impacted positively

on the appearance of the town.

“In recent years, Kilrush has been scoring consistently high in the areas of overall developmental approach, the built environment, landscap- ing, wildlife and natural amenities, litter control, tidiness, residential areas and general impression. This improved appearance has been ob- served and commented upon by the many thousands of visitors to the town each year. This can only have positive consequences for the town’s image and future growth,” she said.

“Winning a gold medal is a mas- sive achievement for everybody

involved,” Councillor Tom Clyne, Mayor of Kilrush added.

“T would like to particularly ac- knowledge the Kilrush Tidy Towns committee which has worked tire- lessly and selflessly to improve the ap- pearance of Kilrush. The volunteers have toiled throughout the summer in various public areas to create and maintain flowerbeds, keeps streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter.”

Kilrush scored 290 points, an in- crease of eight points on last year when it secured silver for the second year in a row. It received bronze in 2003 and 2004.

ENNIS and Kilrush have once again won gold medals in the national Tidy SKeaelsmereyesloreisialeyee

The county capital scored 295 points, which is just four points be- hind the overall winner, Aughrim, from Wicklow, the results of which were announced yesterday. It shows an increase of seven points on Ennis’ tally of 288 last year.

Kilrush finished second in Clare, with 290 points (an increase of eight on last year), while Mountshannon was third, with 279 points.

Ennis won a gold medal, the county award for Clare, a national regional biodiversity award, along with a ‘building a bilingual society’ acco- lade. “Ennis is just four points behind the overall winner. For a town this size, this 1s a major achievement,” said the secretary of Ennis Tidy

Towns committee, Margaret Neylon.

Ennis, which won the overall na- tional competition in 2005, has in- creased its points tally, in impres- sive fashion, over the past few years. It scored 272 points in 2004, 279 in 2005 and 288 last year.

Many villages, townlands and towns in Clare showed huge im- provements in their scores in the na- tional competition.

Although Mountshannon scored

279 points, it dropped one point from last year. The village, which won the competition outright in 1981, has been impressive in Tidy Towns over the past few years, increasing its tally in fine fashion.

There were significant improve- ments for many areas, with Ballyna- cally top of the pile in this section, scooping an impressive increase of 21 points, which showed an increase of 8.4 per cent on 2006. Not far be- hind Ballynacally was Kilkee, which increased its tally by 14 points. Thir- teen-point increases were recorded in Quin (256), Ruan (238) and Kilmihil (243).

Ballyvaughan increased by 12 points (256). Tuamgraney increased by 11 points, to 259, while Labash- eeda increased by 10 points to 259. Nine-point increases were awarded in Lahinch (230), Scariff (230) and Carrigaholt (214).

Kilrush scooped eight extra points (290), as did Killimer (227), Kildysart (230) and Newmarket-on- Fergus (241). Seven-point increases were scored by Ennis (295), Feakle (233) and Tulla (218).

Sixmilebridge (254), Killaloe (230) and Ennistymon (224) increased by five points each. A three-point in- crease was recorded in Broadford (208), while Mullagh (214) and Shannon (254) increased by two points each.

UNIVERSITY College Dublin was the venue for the 58th Annual Meet- ing of the European Association for Animal Production held on Sunday, August 26 which was opened by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr John Browne, ID.

Addressing the more than 800 Eu- ropean delegates, the Minister stated that “investment in research is piv- otal in ensuring that we meet future challenges facing the agriculture and food sector”’.

He congratulated the Scientific Committee for capturing such a noteworthy theme as “Sustainable Animal Production – Meeting the

Challenges for Quality Food. Sus- tainability presents a challenge for all concerned.” The Minister continued: “A challenge for researchers to pro- vide the best science based knowl- edge for cost effective sustainable and animal welfare friendly animal production, a challenge for farmers to deliver quality produce at com- petitive prices in an environmentally sustainable way, and, most of all, a challenge to all involved along the whole food chain from the farm to the fork to have a unified approach to ensuring the highest food safety and quality standards are achieved.”

The minister told delegates that the Irish Government has greatly increased its funding for research in recent years. Last year Strategy

for Science Technology and Innova- tion, which will run until 2013, was launched. “This Strategy,’ he said, “sets out the roadmap whereby Ire- land can develop as a knowledge based economy, and it explicitly recognises that the development of a sustainable agriculture and food sec- tor and bio economy is vital to our national economic well-being.” The Strategy foresees a doubling of both research funding and in the number of PhD’s produced.

‘This 1s not a doubling for the sake of it,’ said the minister, “but rather a vision of building a capability among the best young people to fuel the knowledge economy.”

Continuing the minister said that the Department of Agriculture and

Food is the primary funding agency for agricultural and food research in Ireland.

It provides core funding to Teagasc, the National Institute for Research, Advice and Education in Agriculture and Food, as well as funding through competitive programmes for which Teagasc and the third level institutes compete. The minister pointed out that these programmes provide sig- nificant funding for research in the animal bio-sciences.

In conclusion, the Minister hoped that the delegates would not only get a flavour of what is happening in re- search in Ireland, but that they would also have an opportunity to capture some of the sights, sounds and tastes of Ireland during their stay.

MACRA NA FEIRME’S national president, Catherine Buckley be- lieves education is the way forward in farming.

Speaking at the launch of the Tea- gasc programme for Adult and Life Long Learning she said providing “the best possible educational oppor- tunities to farmers would be the key to giving Irish agriculture a competi- tive advantage in the future.”

The Macra president pointed out that her organisation had long been involved in campaigning for 1im- provements in agricultural educa-

tion standards and she welcomed the fact that the existing 180 hour course will, in the coming year, be replaced with the new advanced certificate in agriculture. “While the new course will require a greater commitment from participants, it will leave them far better equipped to deal with the demands of modern farming. This new course will create a pathway for young farmers to acquire a broader and more life-long agricultural edu- cation,’ she said.

Ms Buckley pointed out that while it was vital that Teagasc continued to develop top-class specialised cours- es targeted at full-time farmers, she

said that Macra also fully supported the provision of agricultural training courses to part-time farmers or those who could not attend agricultural college.

“The responsibilities and pressures on so called part-time farmers are just as onerous as those on farmers with no off-farm employment and it is important for the future of the industry that this category of farmer has access to properly structured training,’ she said.

The leader of the young farmers’ or- ganisation said that in addition to the formal courses offered by Teagasc, the importance of various discussion

group Sessions, also facilitated by the organisation, should not be under-es- UbeereInoren

“In the last 12 months, Macra has established a number of specialised discussion groups for young farmers around the country which are facili- tated by professional Teagasc advis- ae

“The demand for this type of edu- cational opportunity has been huge as it provides a chance for young like-minded farmers to meet and net- work with others in the industry, and in turn assists them in making bet- ter decisions in relation to the future growth of their business,’ she said.