Why are you running for IFA president? “The IFA needs to change. I’m young, driven, motivated and want to make a real difference. The work I do at European level leaves me well placed to represent Irish farmers abroad. The founders of the IFA were great visionaries, they united farmers from over 80 groups. I think the IFA needs to again pull farmers together to address the very different challenges that face us now, but that needs strong leadership.”
Current state of the IFA: “What happened in the IFA four years ago has had an effect. We still have a strong membership base, but there’s a breakdown in trust. Farmers on the ground don’t see all the good work the IFA is doing.”
The state of farming: “Farming is under pressure in most sectors, and it’s the same all over Europe. There is a disconnect between the EU’s agricultural policy and its trade policy. Farmers are producing to the highest standards in the world, but need protection from imports that do not have the same standards. The same holds true for all sectors, especially grain farmers.”
Splintering of farm organisations:
“Working together through one large unified group is still the way forward. Each sector needs representation through a strong committee.”
Beef: “Cattle farmers have had a tough year and a tough summer, but the beef sector has seen a continuous lunge from one crisis to another for 20 years. There is a lack of trust and transparency with processors, but marketplace pressure in Germany, France or the UK affects our income levels here. Drystock farmers have always relied on a heavy level of support, coupled with restrictions on imports for viability. Without proper protection that’s very difficult.”
IFA 2019 Presidential candidate Angus Woods on his farm in Wicklow. \ Philip Doyle
Dairy expansion: “I’m not sure the current level of dairy expansion will continue – the number of dairy farmers is actually reducing, with just over 16,000 quality-assured dairy farms, and labour is a problem. Farmers are asking where is all this value-add from protein products and infant formulas; it’s not being reflected in the milk price.”
CAP reform: “I think there is room to improve the CAP budget, particularly if there is a decent Brexit outcome, but we are going to have to go and take this money, it won’t just come to us. Flattening of payments is a blunt tool. I’m seeing beef farmers who have lost 30% plus of their income, and that is making them unviable, including smaller farmers who had higher per-hectare payments. I think there needs to be an element in CAP to allow the older generation retire and allow the next generation take over.”
IFA 2019 Presidential candidate Angus Woods on his farm in Wicklow. \ Philip Doyle
Climate change: “In terms of climate change, a policy of replacing European production with Brazilian beef and GM crops is wrong and must be changed. We need to start winning these debates. New technologies can help, but are expensive. Farmers need support to invest in them.”
How would you define a viable farm? “Viability means having an income from the farm to meet the farmer’s needs. Not all farms are full-time, but all of us deserve a return for our work. Income demands change.”
IFA 2019 Presidential candidate Angus Woods on his farm in Wicklow. \ Philip Doyle
Brexit: “On Brexit, it’s critical that Europe stands with us, and they have so far. The €100m beef fund was based on the recognition within the Meat Market Observatory of the effect Brexit was having on our cattle prices. I sit on that committee and created that awareness, so it can be done.”
Key facts
Angus Woods (48) is a suckler, beef, sheep and tillage farmer in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, on dry but hilly ground. Half the land farmed is rented. Woods is married to Aileen, they have one daughter Evie. Current IFA national livestock chair, Woods sits on the Meat Market Observatory in Brussels and chairs a civil dialogue group for meat and honeybee production.
Why are you running for IFA president? “The IFA needs to change. I’m young, driven, motivated and want to make a real difference. The work I do at European level leaves me well placed to represent Irish farmers abroad. The founders of the IFA were great visionaries, they united farmers from over 80 groups. I think the IFA needs to again pull farmers together to address the very different challenges that face us now, but that needs strong leadership.”
Current state of the IFA: “What happened in the IFA four years ago has had an effect. We still have a strong membership base, but there’s a breakdown in trust. Farmers on the ground don’t see all the good work the IFA is doing.”
The state of farming: “Farming is under pressure in most sectors, and it’s the same all over Europe. There is a disconnect between the EU’s agricultural policy and its trade policy. Farmers are producing to the highest standards in the world, but need protection from imports that do not have the same standards. The same holds true for all sectors, especially grain farmers.”
Splintering of farm organisations:
“Working together through one large unified group is still the way forward. Each sector needs representation through a strong committee.”
Beef: “Cattle farmers have had a tough year and a tough summer, but the beef sector has seen a continuous lunge from one crisis to another for 20 years. There is a lack of trust and transparency with processors, but marketplace pressure in Germany, France or the UK affects our income levels here. Drystock farmers have always relied on a heavy level of support, coupled with restrictions on imports for viability. Without proper protection that’s very difficult.”
IFA 2019 Presidential candidate Angus Woods on his farm in Wicklow. \ Philip Doyle
Dairy expansion: “I’m not sure the current level of dairy expansion will continue – the number of dairy farmers is actually reducing, with just over 16,000 quality-assured dairy farms, and labour is a problem. Farmers are asking where is all this value-add from protein products and infant formulas; it’s not being reflected in the milk price.”
CAP reform: “I think there is room to improve the CAP budget, particularly if there is a decent Brexit outcome, but we are going to have to go and take this money, it won’t just come to us. Flattening of payments is a blunt tool. I’m seeing beef farmers who have lost 30% plus of their income, and that is making them unviable, including smaller farmers who had higher per-hectare payments. I think there needs to be an element in CAP to allow the older generation retire and allow the next generation take over.”
IFA 2019 Presidential candidate Angus Woods on his farm in Wicklow. \ Philip Doyle
Climate change: “In terms of climate change, a policy of replacing European production with Brazilian beef and GM crops is wrong and must be changed. We need to start winning these debates. New technologies can help, but are expensive. Farmers need support to invest in them.”
How would you define a viable farm? “Viability means having an income from the farm to meet the farmer’s needs. Not all farms are full-time, but all of us deserve a return for our work. Income demands change.”
IFA 2019 Presidential candidate Angus Woods on his farm in Wicklow. \ Philip Doyle
Brexit: “On Brexit, it’s critical that Europe stands with us, and they have so far. The €100m beef fund was based on the recognition within the Meat Market Observatory of the effect Brexit was having on our cattle prices. I sit on that committee and created that awareness, so it can be done.”
Key facts
Angus Woods (48) is a suckler, beef, sheep and tillage farmer in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, on dry but hilly ground. Half the land farmed is rented. Woods is married to Aileen, they have one daughter Evie. Current IFA national livestock chair, Woods sits on the Meat Market Observatory in Brussels and chairs a civil dialogue group for meat and honeybee production. 
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