Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is a central governmental entity in Ireland, with a significant focus on the dairy industry, a vital part of the country's economy. The department's headquarters is located in Dublin, Ireland's capital city. To manage and supervise agricultural activities efficiently, DAFM also operates several regional offices throughout Ireland.
Financial Indicators
As a governmental organization, DAFM's success is not measured by profit or revenue. Instead, the department evaluates its impact through the efficacy of its policies and the extent of support it provides to the agricultural sector. This includes funding for research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of dairy production.
Important Events
A significant figure associated with DAFM is Jim Beecher, who served as an assistant secretary and chaired Dairy Research Ireland, highlighting the department's commitment to research and innovation in the dairy sector.
Company Plans
DAFM is committed to sustaining Ireland's dairy industry through strategic planning and policy-making. The department's goals include supporting initiatives that improve dairy production efficiency and environmental sustainability. DAFM actively promotes research and innovation to maintain the competitiveness of Ireland's dairy sector globally. Furthermore, the department is focused on ensuring fair compensation for farmers and aims to reduce TB levels to manage program costs, which are projected to exceed €100 million in 2024.
In a recent development, the Department of Agriculture reported nearly 12,000 declarations for nitrogen excretion rate bands and urged farmers who defaulted to confirm their excretion rate band promptly, despite declarations being accepted until December 31, 2026. Additionally, the deadline for applying for the nitrates derogation for 2026 saw 6,797 applications, a decrease from the 7,135 applications submitted in 2025.
Modified: 2026/05/22