The IFA has elected a new chairman of its national livestock committee, following a meeting in Portlaoise yesterday (Tuesday, January 7th).
Brendan Golden, the Mayo representative on the committee, will take over from Angus Woods at the farm organisation’s AGM on Monday, January 27th.
Brendan Golden has been elected as the new Chairman of the IFA National Livestock Committee at a meeting in Portlaoise this week.
He is suckler beef farmer from Killala, Co. Mayo, finishing mainly steers and young bulls; he also sells some finished cows and heifer weanlings. He farms 70 suckler cows on 80 ha of owned and rented land alongside his wife Ann and three sons.
Speaking after his election, Brendan Golden said the challenges in the beef and livestock sector are immense. He said never was it more important for Irish beef farmers to adopt the principles of unity, strength and delivery to improve the income situation of farmers on the ground.
Brendan Golden’s key priorities for beef and livestock farmers include;
- An immediate lift in cattle prices to restore viability and increase farm incomes;
- Restoring and maintaining strong direct payments in CAP 2020 and through Farm Schemes;
- Protecting the beef sector against Brexit and other trade deals;
- Defending EU production standards and grass-based systems on environmental, food safety and traceability grounds;
- Maximising market access for beef and live exports;
- Supporting and maintaining the national suckler cow herd.
Brendan Golden said the Minister for Agriculture and the EU Commissioner for Agriculture must be prepared to stand up and fearlessly defend the Irish and European beef farmer and the family farm model.
Brendan Golden and the National Livestock Committee thanked the outgoing Chairman Angus Woods for strong and honest leadership of beef farmers over the last four years at national and European level.
The election was conducted by the IFA National Returning officer Richard Kennedy.
Other positions
Paul O’Brien has been chosen as the next chairman of the IFA’s national environment committee. The Kilkenny representative on the committee will succeed Thomas Cooney at the upcoming AGM.
Next week will see two other committee chair elections take place – the national liquid milk committee will meet on Wednesday, Jan 15th and the IFA national rural development committee will meet on Thursday, January 16th.
The election for national treasurer will take place at the AGM.
