The Agriland team bring you the biggest stories of the week in Irish agriculture, which this week includes:

• Government urged to take action on rising agri fuel costs;
• EU commissioner pours cold water on CBAM suspension for fertiliser;
• Teagasc hikes advisory and education fees;
• Michael O'Leary says farmers should not be worried about Mercosur trade deal;
• Farmer anger over Bord Bia chair laid bare in emails;
• Farmers urged to prepare for new bovine TB measures;
• Sheep Welfare Scheme now open;
• Thieves make a break with 12t of KitKat chocolate bars.

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In this episode Breifne O’Brien sits down Co. Westmeath-based beef farmer and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary ahead of his annual Gigginstown House on-farm sale on Saturday, April 18.

This year's sale marks 30 years since Gigginstown House Stud imported its first 25 pedigree Angus cattle from Canada.

The Ryanair CEO chats to Breifne about beef prices and why Irish farmers should not be worried about trade deals like Mercosur.

According to O'Leary Ireland "will do well out of free trade".

"We should be welcoming the Mercosur trade deal, we should be welcoming the Australian trade deal - anything that encourages free trade is good for the Irish economy and what is good for the Irish economy will ultilmately translate into being good for Irish farmers as well," the Ryanair CEO said.

He also revealed that he did not "think much" of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) protest at the Bord Bia headquarters earlier this year.

The Agriland team bring you the biggest stories of the week in Irish agriculture, which this week includes:

• Farm orgs slam government fuel cost measures
• 100ac of silage set to cost €2,855 extra as diesel soars;
• Irish farmers face fertiliser shortages over Middle East conflict;
• 'Relentless' price cuts hit beef finishers;
• EU and Australia sign free trade agreement;
• Aurivo and Dale Farm announce 'strategic partnership';
• Proposed animal transport rules to 'effectively end' live exports;
• Bluetongue vaccine to be included in welfare schemes;
• DAFM issues lead poisoning warning.

Don’t forget to rate, review and follow The Farming Week, Agriland’s weekly review of Irish agriculture, and visit Agriland.ie for more.