THE number of applications for establishment grants of up to €1,450 per hectare to aid the planting of willow and miscanthus under the new bioenergy scheme will reach the first-year target, according to Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

The New York mayor today visited Co Mayo to hail the first direct flights between Knock Airport and the Big Apple.

A POTENTIALLY life-saving piece of farm equipment devised by two west Cork teenagers has won them a Highly Commended award and a special award from the Patents Office, in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

THE land area under organic production increased by 15% last year, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan has disclosed.

I WISH to protest at the recent proposal by the Department of Agriculture for the transfer of milk quotas.

A CALL for a final effort to eradicate brucellosis has been made by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

Calls to the special bird flu helpline set up by the Government have jumped signicantly in the past 24 hours, according to Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

UNIONS at the country’s only remaining sugar factory in Mallow last night accused the Government of pandering to the needs of farmers as the firm closes with the loss of 324 jobs.

The Egyptian authorities have removed all remaining restrictions to imports of Irish beef, according to Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.