Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, commonly referred to as DAFM, plays a critical role in the oversight and management of Ireland's agricultural sector, with a particular focus on the dairy industry. The department is headquartered in Dublin, the vibrant capital of Ireland, and operates several regional offices across the country to ensure effective oversight and management of agricultural activities.

Financial Indicators

As a governmental body, DAFM's success is not measured by traditional financial metrics such as profit or revenue. Instead, its effectiveness is gauged by the impact of its policies and the level of support it provides to the agricultural sector. This includes funding initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of dairy production.

Important Events

Jim Beecher, a notable figure within DAFM, has served as an assistant secretary and chaired Dairy Research Ireland, underscoring the department's commitment to research and innovation in the dairy sector. Recently, DAFM reported nearly 12,000 declarations for nitrogen excretion rate bands, urging farmers to confirm their excretion rate band promptly. The number of applications for the nitrates derogation for 2026 was 6,797, which represents a slight decrease from the 7,135 applications submitted in 2025.

Company Plans

DAFM is dedicated to sustaining the dairy industry in Ireland through strategic planning and policy-making. Its objectives include supporting initiatives that improve dairy production efficiency and enhance environmental sustainability. The department actively promotes research and innovation to maintain the global competitiveness of Ireland's dairy sector. Additionally, DAFM aims to ensure fair compensation for farmers and reduce TB levels, with program costs expected to surpass €100 million in 2024. The department also provides data on calf exportation, noting that over 10% of Irish dairy-bred calves were exported in 2026, a move that contributes to genetic evaluations despite their exportation. Furthermore, DAFM, along with the European Dairy Association and DII, has released a joint document outlining ambitions for the Irish and European dairy processing sectors during the presidency, emphasizing their commitment to the industry's future development.

Figures from the department indicate that in the first half of 2026, 167,635 cows were processed at approved factories, with dairy animals comprising 78.5% of the total.