Finan was elected in April 2015 in what was a landslide victory, to become the 35th president of Macra na Feirme. Of the 180 votes cast, Finan received 80 first-preference votes, with the next nearest candidate receiving 56.While he was not involved in any reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), one of Finan’s main focus has been looking towards the next CAP.
Finan was elected in April 2015 in what was a landslide victory, to become the 35th president of Macra na Feirme. Of the 180 votes cast, Finan received 80 first-preference votes, with the next nearest candidate receiving 56.
While he was not involved in any reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), one of Finan’s main focus has been looking towards the next CAP.
“It has been a very busy two years. I have tried my very best over the two years to represent the best interests of Irish young farmers at local, national and European level.
“We have had many successes in that period of time. The CAP document is something we did prioritise,” he said.
Finan was bullish in terms of what he has achieved as president of the association. He said the reopening of the National Reserve would not have happened with lobbying carried out by Macra.
“The young farmer and National Reserve, young farmers can thank Macra for a young farmer National Reserve.
“Looking back through the presidency, there are a number of other things which Macra secured for young farmers, including a top-up on European dairy aid money and we have further developed our young farmer training programme and continue to lobby on behalf of young farmers.”
Listen to "Macra president Sean Finan on its CAP recommendations" on Spreaker.
The count to elect the next president of the young farmer organisation takes place this coming Tuesday. Either Odile Evans from Co Wexford or James Healy from Co Cork will take over from Finan to lead the organisation for the next two years.
“It’s an honour to have had the role and to have been elected by the membership, and I wish both candidates the best of luck and they both have run very good campaigns … there’s nothing as past as past president, but I will help them in whatever way I can,” Finan concluded.
The next president of Macra will start the role in May.
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