Why are you running for IFA president? “I’m passionate about Irish farming and want to see the contribution farmers make rewarded. Farming is the backbone of rural life and our economy, yet our work is taken for granted. I want to use my experience, energy and track record to lead a farmer-focused IFA, with an emphasis on incomes, farm families, unity and reforms. I’ve shown my track record of winning deals for farmers when I secured €20m/year saving for Irish farmers on fertiliser prices at EU level.”
Current state of Irish farming?“There is a gap between the success of the sector and how the farmer is benefiting. Looking at the millions we feed, our €13.5bn of exports and the 8% of Irish workers employed in agribusiness, we should be benefiting more than we are. Farm incomes are 40% less than the average industrial wage. This must change.”
/ Donal O' Leary
Current state of the IFA: “When united and farmer-focused, there is no better organisation. But we need to reform further. That starts with being more in tune with farmers, listening better, and acting on feedback. We need more proactive communication on the ground and assistance with practical everyday issues affecting farm livelihoods.”
Splintering of farm organisations:
“We need farmer unity. Division weakens us and makes it easier for others to take advantage. We need to appreciate why some farmers drifted away from the organisation and address the root causes. I’ll practice a leadership that gets people involved with a sense of purpose that farmers can unite around.”
Ann and John Coughlan with their children on their farm in Buttevant. / Eamon Ward
Beef: “Our 75,000 beef farmers are experiencing huge difficulties. Wondering if the Taskforce is over before it’s begun will do nothing for beef farmers. It can be salvaged, but only if the chair moves quickly to resolve the issues which are undermining trust – full commencement of the promised strand one benefits, backdated to September and resolution of legal injunctions. The absence of retailer representation in talks is for me a real issue, not least given the chunk supermarkets are taking.”
Dairy expansion: “The combination of maximum production and huge investment means we are one of the premium dairy product exporters globally. Maintaining that is the challenge. We must work hard to grow exports while supporting farmers who have borrowed to expand.”
IFA presidential candidate John Coughlan on his farm in Buttevant. / Donal O' Leary
CAP reform: “We need a new CAP policy that helps farmers, particularly smaller scale farmers for their work as environmental guardians and financially support them in expanding this role, such as through conservation, environmental diversity and protection. Crucially, the CAP budget must not be diverted to other areas in the EU.”
Climate change: “I’m putting forward proposals to secure the introduction of a Green Farmer Fund which ringfences 40% of carbon tax revenues for on-farm initiatives and supports farmers transitioning or diversifying.”
How would you define a viable farm? “One that provides a sufficient standard of living while producing food in a sustainable way.”
IFA presidential hopeful John Coughlan. / Eamon Ward
Brexit: “The Government’s full Brexit funding package must be available to farmers from 1 November. It must be reviewed to assess impact six months in with a supplementary fund introduced if required. Efforts to find new markets for Irish produce must be intensified.”
Key facts
John Coughlan (54) is a farmer from Buttevant, Co Cork. He is married to Ann with two adult children, Michael who is studying and Helena who works in the agri-industry. The family milk 100 cows, finish over 100 cattle, and grow cereals. Read more
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