Patrick Kent, the president of the ICSA, has announced his resignation from the organisation with immediate effect after a national executive meeting on Wednesday night, 24 April.

A spokesperson for the ICSA told the Irish Farmers Journal that they believed that Kent’s nomination as one of five possible replacements by Mick Wallace TD was “one of the reasons” for his resignation.

Wallace is running for MEP in the south constituency and candidates must submit a list of five possible replacements if they get elected in case the situation arises that the seat falls vacant.

In a statement, the ICSA thanked Kent for his work.

"He was the first farm leader to bring attention to the fact that farmers were losing on average €150 per head of cattle by virtue of receiving zero payment for the fifth quarter, a matter he raised on numerous occasions at sittings of the beef forum," the ICSA said.

"He was an active figure in Brussels having led countless delegations from ICSA over the years. He was proud of the fact that ICSA does not take levies but was nevertheless able to represent their members effectively both at home and in Brussels."

Vegan

"He was the first farm leader to realise that militant vegan ideology was a threat to the livestock sector and had the potential to undermine the viability of livestock farmers," the organisations's spokesperson said.

"He was resolute in his belief that vegan propaganda should be questioned at all times and he highlighted the fact that multimillion dollar businesses stood to gain massive profits from the vegan fad.

"All at ICSA wish him the very best of luck with his future endeavours."

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