IFA members told that Brexit is the greatest challenge

THE annual general meeting of West Cork IFA took place recently at the Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway, presided over by chairman Corney Buckley. 

The guest speaker was Gerry Gunning, executive secretary of the IFA Rural Development Committee, who spoke on a wide range of issues, including the complex nature of the upcoming review of Disadvantaged Areas. 

The IFA welcomed the positive response it had received in the recent Budget to a variety of issues on which it had made submissions to the government, including the new €10 per ewe Sheep Welfare Scheme. However, Brexit is now the greatest challenge facing the future of Irish farming, with no certainty regarding the final outcome.                                                                                                             

All the main officers of West Cork IFA were returned for the coming year: president John Joe Kelleher of Terelton, chairman Corney Buckley of Caheragh, vice-chairman, Donal O’Donovan of Dunmanway, secretary Micheál Looney of Macroom, treasurer Jerry O’Sullivan of Leap and PRO Gerard Burke of Durrus. Martina Casey of Macroom was elected unopposed to replace Marie Harnedy of Caheragh, who had completed a six-year term representing West Cork on the Farm Family Committee. 

Following an election, Gerard Lehane of Timoleague became West Cork representative on animal health. All the other outgoing delegates were returned unopposed to their respective committees: dairying Derry Scannell of Rossmore,  livestock Robert Ellis of Drinagh, sheep Denis O’Leary of Ballingeary, forestry Fergus Minihane of Schull, grain David O’Brien of Ardfield, hill sheep Teddy Creedon of Ballyvourney, poultry Denis O’Hea of Clonakilty, rural development  Donal O’Donovan of Dunmanway, farm business Tadhg Healy of Clonakilty, environment Chris Hayes of Rosscarbery and special areas of conservation Finn O’Mahony of Kilcrohane.