The IFA is to hold postal ballot elections in the coming days for positions on its dairy committee and its livestock committee.

The role of chair is up for grabs on the dairy committee following Tom Phelan’s decision to step down in order to take up a position with Glanbia.

Stephen Arthur from Wicklow has taken up the role in the interim.

On the livestock committee, the vice-chair is up for election.

Declan Hanrahan currently holds the post having been elected in August 2020.

The role is usually a two-year posting, but Hanrahan was elected mid-term to succeed current chair Brendan Golden after he replaced Angus Woods.

Ballot papers have been issued to each member of the two committees.

The deadline for returning the completed postal ballot is Friday 16 April. Each committee will hold a meeting on Friday week at which the results will be announced.

IFA treasurer Martin Stapleton said despite the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the IFA national council decided to press ahead with elections as they were due.

“The postal system has worked very well across our structure, with elections for committee positions, county chairs and one regional chair position. It shows the flexibility of the association in responding to the circumstances,” Stapleton said.