IFA Presidential candidate Stapleton vows to restore respect for Longford farmers

Voting will be held through November with the count on December 12.

Hundreds of supporters heard the National Treasurer, former Returning Officer and Chair of the Business Committee assure farmers that without making any false promises, he would work hard to protect and defend their livelihoods over the next four years.

He said the cornerstone of his campaign is to restore respect for farmers; to foster unity in the IFA; to protect freedom to farm and to guard farm family incomes to ensure viability.

Referring to the fortnight of farmer protests which was started by Limerick IFA at a protest staged at the doors of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Stapleton said it was the start of his vision of tackling the issues of importance to farmers ‘because what we have been doing is no longer working effectively’.

Saying farmers have the right to farm in the way they know best, within reason, he added that ‘any interference in that right should be resisted’.

Under his leadership, he said he would build quality working relationships between IFA, Government, food purchasers and service providers and become stronger negotiators in these critical times by being willing to provide solutions. “Damage agriculture and you damage the whole nation. We will not be found wanting in meeting our responsibilities, nor will we be found wanting in defending our right to farm,” he Mr Stapleton.

Calling it ‘nonsense’ to exclude farmers from the framing of policy, he added that “it is our responsibility to feed a growing global population, just as the Germans engineer for the globe or the Arabs fuel the globe.” Referring to the angry response from farmers to the changes in the nitrates derogation, Mr Stapleton said ‘imposing restrictions without scientific evidence stinks of hypocrisy, and water quality regulations are a ruse to reduce stock numbers in order to reduce emissions.’

Calling for better communication between the sectors, the members, the public and other farming organisations such as Macra, he promised a greater communications role for the men and women of the outstanding staff in the IFA.

Urging farmers to give him a mandate to lead, he said ‘every farmer behind every gate must be represented. Every young man and woman investing in farming must trust the IFA to represent them. ‘There is no delivery without strength and there is no strength without unity’ he said.

Labelling the industry as ‘in crisis’, Mr Stapleton said “what we are doing now is not serving our interests. We must work together and be clear in our needs and our actions to protect our future.”

Calling for ‘more financial supports’ he said if farming is to evolve, the way financial supports are distributed needs to be re-examined to focus on vulnerable areas and sectors, quality food production and environmental ambition. ‘Above all, he said ‘we need to support young men and women entering our industry’.

His pledge is that all farmers will be heard within the IFA and the IFA will be heard at every level to secure the future of Irish farming.