Overview of Environmental Mediation

The emergence of Mediation as a popular tool in Agriculture Sector has been an important extension of Mediation services to Irish Society. The MII has Mediators available with particular expertise in this sector.

Mediation in the Agricultural sector is:

• Easily accessible
• User friendly
• Cost effective by comparison with conventional litigation
• Effective across all issues from family matters, including separation and divorce settlements, to business and commercial issues
• Possible through a range of mediators with an understanding of farming and agribusinesses

In smaller, more isolated communities disputes can easily ruin reputations. Mediation gives the opportunity to resolve your differences in private and keep reputations intact – this is as important in business as it can be on a personal level. Accusations within the farming industry can ruin a business – dealing with them through Mediation can see problems rectified without long term damage to people’s jobs and livelihoods.

Case study
A typical case was that of a son farming on the home farm. Issues had arisen between parents and the son over his business decisions and aspirations for the future of the farm. There was a breakdown in communications and serious tensions existed between parents and son. Mediation brought all sides together and provided the opportunity for a complete airing of the causes of the breakdown. With an understanding of the son’s intentions the parents came on board and family unity was also restored. All the mediation process was gone through in a day.