IFA presidential candidate John Coughlan wants a greater unity of farmer groups as it is "essential" to protect farmer livelihoods.
“Farmer groups must agree a single negotiating position for Beef Task Force,” he said. He has committed to holding "meaningful" collective talks between members of newly formed farmer representative ‘splinter groups’, if he is elected.
He noted that The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Beef Plan, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA), Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and the Independent Farmers of Ireland have often had different and contradicting agendas when negotiating on key issues with processors such as Meat Industry Ireland.
Undermined
Coughlan feels that the split focus and division has undermined negotiating ability.
“Segregation among farmers serves to only weaken our collective negotiation power. I respect the views and work of the many farmers within and outside the IFA, but we need to work together.
The IFA must now show leadership and bring farmers back together
“If elected, one of my priorities is to bring together all farm organisations to agree on a single unified position to take to the Beef Task Force and more importantly to face down Meat Industry Ireland.
"We need this if we are going to get anything for the farmers we represent. The IFA must now show leadership and bring farmers back together, working together for all."
Take ownership
To engage with the farmer groups, Coughlan has acknowledged that the IFA must take ownership of its failings and look at why farmers are not united and take immediate action to resolve divisions.
We must regain our unity
“I look forward to engaging with Beef Plan, IFOI, ICSA and ICMSA leadership, if elected. I want to be open and transparent with the IFA’s role in these divisions emerging. I now want to fix these issues and work to achieve common goals.
“We must regain our unity. Our unification has always been our strongest asset and it alone is how we can have the biggest impact,“ he said.
Read more
Meath IFA hustings: president’s position on Bord Bia questioned
IFA hustings: suckler and beef issues dominate in Mullingar
IFA hustings: lively night In Leitrim for IFA candidates
IFA presidential candidate John Coughlan wants a greater unity of farmer groups as it is "essential" to protect farmer livelihoods.
“Farmer groups must agree a single negotiating position for Beef Task Force,” he said. He has committed to holding "meaningful" collective talks between members of newly formed farmer representative ‘splinter groups’, if he is elected.
He noted that The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Beef Plan, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA), Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and the Independent Farmers of Ireland have often had different and contradicting agendas when negotiating on key issues with processors such as Meat Industry Ireland.
Undermined
Coughlan feels that the split focus and division has undermined negotiating ability.
“Segregation among farmers serves to only weaken our collective negotiation power. I respect the views and work of the many farmers within and outside the IFA, but we need to work together.
The IFA must now show leadership and bring farmers back together
“If elected, one of my priorities is to bring together all farm organisations to agree on a single unified position to take to the Beef Task Force and more importantly to face down Meat Industry Ireland.
"We need this if we are going to get anything for the farmers we represent. The IFA must now show leadership and bring farmers back together, working together for all."
Take ownership
To engage with the farmer groups, Coughlan has acknowledged that the IFA must take ownership of its failings and look at why farmers are not united and take immediate action to resolve divisions.
We must regain our unity
“I look forward to engaging with Beef Plan, IFOI, ICSA and ICMSA leadership, if elected. I want to be open and transparent with the IFA’s role in these divisions emerging. I now want to fix these issues and work to achieve common goals.
“We must regain our unity. Our unification has always been our strongest asset and it alone is how we can have the biggest impact,“ he said.
Read more
Meath IFA hustings: president’s position on Bord Bia questioned
IFA hustings: suckler and beef issues dominate in Mullingar
IFA hustings: lively night In Leitrim for IFA candidates
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: