Longford members invited to 'for farmers, by farmers' upcoming ICMSA AGM

Commenting on the lineup and agenda for upcoming ICMSA Annual General Meeting to be held on 2 December in the Clare Radisson outside Limerick, the Association’s President, Denis Drennan, said that the message they were getting back strongly from members attending the Area and County meetings was the need to focus strongly on ‘core’ farmer concerns.

Mr. Drennan said that with that feedback in mind, the agenda and tone of the AGM was going to be “for farmers, by farmers” with political and non-farming input to be kept to a minimum for 2024.

“It’s time that we heard from those individuals and organisations charged with directly developing and strategizing for the Irish farm sector and the wider agri-food sector.

READ NEXT: Longford County Council's new Corporate Plan sets out strategic objectives for next five years

Conor Galvin, Chief Executive of Ornua will speak on the dairy market outlook and whether we’ll see the recent rally carry through to ‘Peak Production’ in 2025 and beyond.

We also expect to hear what Ornua’s plans are in the event of the introduction of the tariffs threatened by the incoming Trump Administration”, said Mr Drennan.

Brendan Gleeson, Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine has kindly accepted our invitation to speak to the AGM and his theme is ‘Key Farm Policy Issues to 2030?’, where he will outline what the Department believe will be the key policy changes facing Irish farmers over the next six years.

READ NEXT: Thought provoking Longford play 'Cardboard Coffin' returns for Bog Lane Theatre run

It’s also fair to say that there’s a lot of farmers with questions about the efficacy and relevance of Bord Bia’s schemes and we are confident that Jim O’Toole, Bord Bia Chief Executive will be able to field those and throw some light on some of the more controversial areas.

There’s so much to get through and we greatly value our tradition of robust and businesslike Q & A of speakers while extending to them all the respect and welcome that they deserve.

The venue is excellent, and I’d urge our great Longford members to travel if possible and join us – and participate in – what promises to be another great ICMSA event.

Ring or email to 061-314677 or info@icmsa.ie and indicate intention to attend because the numbers will be capped”, said Mr Drennan.