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The room was slow to fill for tonight’s IFA presidential hustings in Castlebar Co Mayo.
The same protocol was observed with the deputy president candidates were first off the marks, but the crowd increased steadily in time to hear from the presidents.
The Mayo hustings had been anticipated to be a feisty affair given the discontent among IFA members in the west. However, the mood in the room was in general calm and collected, with no major outbursts.
The key issues on the day was reform of the organisation, followed by questioning of what the candidates would do in relations to milk and beef prices. The issue of the reform of the IFA was centre stage in each candidates speeches, will all committing to much more transparency if elected. Like all other hustings, pay rates and how much the next president and general secretary of the IFA should be paid was debated.
Several points were made about the recent CAP reform and whether the IFA represented farmers in the areas in the reform. All candidates agreed that the CAP reform did not benefit everyone, but they also agreed that the organisation can represent all farmers equally going forward in the way it was originally set up.
Part time farmers
There was a strong view from the floor that the rule that only full time farmers can sit on IFA committees is out dated and needs to be reformed.
There also no mention of the impasse in Connacht over the election of a new regional chairman. Mayo IFA’s own chairman Padraic Joyce is seeking a nomination there.
The issues of declining farm profitability were close the hearts of the farmers in attendance also. Milk and beef price were raised along with Bord Bia Quality Assurance audits, farm inspections the power of beef processors on prices and the prices of the multiples.
It is on to Galway on Thursday night for the deputy presidential hustings.
You can read through our blog as it happened on Tuesday night from Mayo
11.10pm
Mayo IFA county chariman, Padraic Joyce closes the debate.
It is on to Galway tomorrow night and Joe Healy's home turf. As with the rules of the hustings, there will be no hustings in the home county of any candidate. We'll be back with you live from the hustings in Co Westmeath on Friday.
11.05pm
Healy’s final say:
''I can deliver that change working with you active members, commodity committees need to be at the heart of decision making and branches need to feed into that. I’m not a Farm Centre person, I think it is important that it is an outsider. The next president needs to be able to negotiate with banks, co-ops, etc. I have lead a national organisation, to have reported on cattle and sheep and the fact that I am a dairy and cattle farmer, I am best placed to be the President but to do that I need your vote''.
11.02pm
Burns’ final say
''We can’t afford to lose any more time. We have a man in Brussels that will build relations. An IFA President is not a training ground, I have done the work in the trenches. I have worked hard to deliver on farm income, I am a farmer. I haven’t hovered for positions, If I am not elected I will be back home farming, if I am elected I will give every minute for the four years; I only have the interest of the farmer at heart.''
11.00pm
McCarthy’s final say:
''I have delivered a €4.2Bn programme under RDP, I have a proven record on delivery, I haven’t written about it, I have done it.''
10.55pm
Burns: ''On the beef side and the Forum, the people sitting around the table are private individuals, they can't open the door in the morning without the Minister, and we needed him to come in stronger on our side. He has moved away again. It is agreed to have AO's at meat plants to inspect grading. The Minister must be a Minister for Agriculture, not for Defence as well.'' He said there are good stories on exports, but he said we need a better share of the money. ''I believe that there is a future for the Suckler herd. The one thing that the suckler farmer does is generate economic activity. We need to get our share of the retail price back.''
''The weight thing is a phoney war, there is only 10% of our cattle over weight. Bord Bia have said that if we lowered our weights down, we won’t get any more beef onto super market shelves.''
10.51pm
McCarthy: ''We need to reform the genomics scheme to put more weight on cattle for export market. We need to battle with the factories and the PLC's, we need to take on factories and expose the Cartel. They know what it costs us to produce, but we know nothing about what they make.
10.46pm
Healy: ''We need stronger branches that meet 3-4 times per year. We can get more involved and that will get people back interested. On the issue of beef, we have an issue with BDGP, this with the increased use of sexed semen and more breeding animals coming from dairy crosses, we could end up losing export markets and there are other countries that will fill them for us. The suckler cow is the life blood of rural Ireland.'' He said that we need more transparency in the beef sector to show who is getting what. He added that the ''price differential between here and the UK, a Forum that has not delivered, we should be gone out of the Forum at Christmas.''
10.43pm
From the floor: How can you make the association relevant to farmers in the first year of you being in place?
Are we codding ourselves going down the road we are, we bought into a BDGP scheme, yet we are at a situation that once an animal is starting to thrive right, they are saying you have too heavy weights yet factories are active for lesser quality animal. Yet you never saw Bord Bia advertising beef using black and white cattle''. Have we a future?
10.40pm
Martin Gilvary: ''Our organisation has fallen away, we have a diary forum set up, our commissioner has sit idly bye''. ''I ask of you that in four years’ time that we can have an organisation that we can be proud of once again.''
10.35pm
Healy highlights the issues which he has raised over the years on young farmer initiatives etc. ''in relation to volatility, this is the biggest area of pressure for farmers. People last October had to pay high tax bills based on 2014, there needs to be a fund, possibly with revenue. May allow farmers to take it out in a good year and bring it back in a bad year and pay tax on it to help combat volatility''. ''We need to control balance between the farmer, the retailer, and the consumer.''
10.30pm
McCarthy: ''all sectors are facing the same situation, we can’t have a situation of below cost, or where all beef factories are paying the same beef prices. On milk, we need to get the high value products back into farmers’ pockets.'' McCarthy mentions the need for a plan.
10.28pm
Burns: ''Studies of the retail sector, there is 40% over capacity in the retail sector. The retail industry has stolen our efficiencies.''
''On the under cost selling, we encountered this on sheep side. We had an issue a few years ago with Northern lambs flooding the market, we got them to take New Zealand Lamb off shelfs, it would help on sheep side, but not for the beef. The retailers have to be pulled up on their inefficiencies.''
10.26pm
Alec Petrie, Liquid milk Committee: Questioned the power of the supermarkets, co-ops paying big money for shelf space, it needs to be addressed.
10.25pm
Sean Clarke takes the mike: ''Last year tillage farmers sold barley for less than 30 years ago, the same applies to milk etc. Is there anything we can do to avoid this erosion? If that is the case, what is your Vision of where we might be by the end of your term in office? Can we do anything?''
Bord Bia and the Department will ensure that IFA are busy putting out fires, is there anyone looking to the future?
10.10pm
Pat from the Kilcoyne branch: Two questions, there is a perception that IFA is for the big man. Can IFA represent all equally?
Healy: ''There was a feeling of a serious lack of delivery, but it shouldn’t be an east west thing, all need to be represented. We have seen some leave the organisation. The strength of IFA is in numbers, when lobbying on sheep it’s not just 34,000 farmers lobbying, it’s all farmers''. He said that groups breaking away, is not good for the organisation.
Burns: ''It did in the past in a unified way; when IFA was formed there were 67 splinter groups, the minister said I can’t deal with you. We are at a crossroads, there are vested interests that don’t want us to succeed and become strong again, but that’s what I believe in.''
McCarthy: ''This is a question going back 60 years. The organisation has to get back to represent farmers. I am confident we can go back to that and we will have unity again.''
What do you think of the people that broke the story on the wages?
Healy: “People thought that structures were in place, but it did come out and I think this will make the organisation stronger. People feel like they are being walked on, we can prove we are stronger going forward.''
Burns: ''They were left with no option and it dragged too long''.
McCarthy: ''We were not happy with performance of the general secretary, we as national chairman to see how the organisation was torn apart, but we require a united organisation going forward.''
10.02pm
Questions turn to a little frustration with one farmer voicing concerns over the milk price, Quality Assurance inspections, beef prices and other issues...his voice was heard loud and clear backed by strong applause from the floor.
10.00pm
How did no one know what anybody was getting, the two men that are in IFA, how did you not know this?
McCarthy: ''We will ensure transparency going forward to set wages of general secretary and president. The Money collected off farmers will go towards driving the key issues for farmers''.
Healy: ''No accountability, it all comes back to transparency. Farmers don’t expect people to work for nothing, but farmers are entitled to know the salaries. There is a remuneration committee in place that the president will not sit on.''
9.55pm
Did the IFA get a fair deal for farmers in the west through the CAP reform?
McCarthy: ''The first time that there was less money, there was always going to be an issue. The deal we got was a compromised deal.''
Healy: Farmers in the west do feel let down. Some of those suffering most are small intensive farmers, right across the country farmers fell let down, it’s not about large payments, those with large payments per hectare are losing, but the total payment may still be small.''
Burns: ''There was no fair deal out of the last CAP. Consistently I have said that. I pushed hard for some form of coupled payment for the suckler cow, we got it through the organisation but the minister didn't do it.'' On Pillar II Burns said that there is too much complication on BDGP, he said that he pushed hard on sheep and sucklers and did deliver it in cases. On the factories, Burns said he has a suckler herd, he said he has no special deal. He killed bulls last week at 40c/kg lower than the same time last year. I don’t want anyone talking down the price of calves. There are three boats approved, we are working on a deal for 20-25k cattle to Egypt.
9.47pm
Chairman, Padraic Joyce opens the meeting to the floor.
9.45pm
McCarthy on ANC: ''We need these reverted to higher payments''. On designated land he told the crowd that the restrictions have gone too far. On inspections he said that ''we can't have a situation where an inspector can come onto your farm and cut your farm income.''
9.43pm
McCarthy on GLAS: ''We have improvements on payment rates, farmers can go to €7,000, it can be driven further. We got 50k spaces in the scheme and we have 38k in it in 2015. The payment limit should be higher.
McCarthy on TAMS: ''We delivered a farm investment programme across all the programmes, this is how IFA works, we persevere.''
9.40pm
McCarthy on IFA ''I understand the importance of the branch structure and that is where we have fallen down.'' He said that it was set up to highlight issues that affect farmers, eligibility, designation, farm incomes etc. ''I become rural development chair in 2011.'' I had a plan, when I took it over my aim was to deliver a RDP for farmers and we got it along with co-funding.''
9.39pm
Flor McCarthy takes the stage
9.38pm
Healy on Dairy:'' Large scale investment has put young farmers under pressure. We need Hogan to raise the intervention price. We need to keep an eye on input prices also.'' I lead MACRA and secured a BSE package for young farmers. I chaired and managed Athenry mart, my work with the Farming Independent has allowed me to highlight issues between factories and farmers.''
9.35pm
Healy on beef: ''I have been 12 years doing factory and mart reports, I have never seen more confusion as I did in the lead up to Christmas. We have seen the price differential open up between here and the UK, we have a grid that needs to be reviewed. We have seen a forum which has failed to deliver. We need a well-funded genomics scheme and vibrant export trade.''
9.32pm
Healy On farm incomes: ''Farm income 24,000, compared to €42,000 in civil service. As your president I will accept nothing less than the first payment paid in full and full reinstatement of ANC payments to pre-2008 levels.''
9.31pm
Healy: ''We need structural change to allow county executives to feed up into decision making. We need to ensure that pay and levies are transparent and controlled.''
9.30pm Healy: ''Why are we here tonight? A set of events has lead us to this, an election that future of the organisation depends on. It is clear we have only one chance to restore farmers’ belief in the organisation.''
9.27pm
Joe Healy takes the floor.
9.28pm
Burns on Inspections: ''QA scheme, initially we were dubious, we joined and did not get a lot of reward. 4-5years on the scheme has gotten too difficult, is costing too much and is causing stress. We have been on to Bord Bia, we won’t sign off on it unless we get more for it.''
9.25pm
'Burns on beef: ''The boats are there and the trucks are there, we fought hard to get boats approved.'' ''On the Goodman, Slaney deal: we are building a competition case on that, and we are very clear that it would damage competition in the market. The government need to come out clearly on this.''
9.20pm
''We worked hard to get the sheep grassland scheme, the minister rolled it into the single farm payment and he was wrong''.
''There are issues with the BDGP, some have been resolved, some have not like the 60% testing. We want more money to go to the farmer''.
9.15pm
Henry Burns: ''We need to earn back the respect and trust; how do we go about that? we need to open up and be fully transparent on how we collect and spend our money’ ‘He said that the levy is also used to fund MACRA, so it can’t just be thrown away, he said that they need to look at that.
''There is a lot of division now in the IFA; are you a big farmer, a small farmer, from the east or west. The average farm income was 54% of the average industrial wage last year, it is 67% of what it was in 1995. The pull back of the supports when the country went into recession had a huge impact.''
9.15pm
IFA Hustings Castlebar: presidential candidates prepare to address the crowd.@IFAmedia pic.twitter.com/CWtNGk2I8l
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9.15pm
Presidential candidates take their positions.
9.11pm
Pat Farrell: ''The single farm payment is the only income for many, you need a strong Deputy President to work for that and I am your man. A vote for Pat Farrell is a vote for farm incomes in these uncertain times.''
915pm
Richard Kennedy: ''I will put principles before personality, I want to see this organisation return to its former glory.
9.15pm
Nigel Renaghan: I am standing here as one of your own, I have delivered for the sector. I have to do it for my family, and I will do it for yours as well''.
9.08pm
Farm safety stance?
Richard Kennedy: ''I am conscious of farm safety but I do not want to see penalties being enforced on SFP cheques, we need to educated and inform not penalise.''
Nigel Renaghan: ''My farm and my wife’s farm is an extension of the home, we both work there and kids are there as well. I can’t get enough income to pay someone to look after them so they are on the farm with me. No matter what we do there are accidents and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone''.
Pat Farrell: ''We have resisted that in IFA, we need to educate not force''.
9.06pm
Low beef prices and the country awash with dairy bred calves, what do we do on beef price?
Richard Kennedy: ''IFA should lead and support beef farmers. There is a big back lash against levies being collected at factories, this will be an issue for the next council''.
Nigel Renaghan: ''we are producing the best cattle, and we get QA inspection after inspection, I want to fight for a future and an income for my family''.
Pat Farrell: ''We are exporting more, but where is the farmers share gone? The factory price is not high enough to keep suckler men viable. Suckler men need the payments to keep them viable. The minister has let us down; he has gone to USA to sell beef, but we cannot export cattle up to the North''.
8.51pm
Stance on forestry?
Nigel Renaghan: ''A refit tariff for wood chip. I am against investment funds coming in and buying up forestry. The other issue is in relation to bonds for roads when removing thinnings''.
Richard Kennedy: ''We are accepting firewood into this country from abroad, it can play a vital role in relation to climate change; I think there is a major job to be done on forestry in IFA and it has not been done.''
Pat Farrell: ''It has an important role to play, but I would not like to see vast areas being planted and isolating peoples’ houses. Moving forward climate change will be a big issue, they are a good carbon sink.''
8.50pm
Areas of Natural Constraints are up for review, what is your stance?
Pat Farrell: ''More should be added and none should be taken out.''
Nigel Renaghan: ''I would like to see what we have protected''.
Richard Kennedy: ''I would like to see it go back to 2009 levels and nothing taken out''.
8.45pm
Council is going to be making the rules, when they are asked to vote and they don’t have all the information do they think it is important to have all the information?
Richard Kennedy: My position is that I would expect that all information is available to them and no vote should be taken until all information is available, if it wasn’t I would highlight it as Deputy President.''
Nigel Renaghan: ''There is an onus on us to make sure all information is available, we need to bring the organisation back to where it should be.''
Pat Farrell: ''We should have full information, but in the past we were not getting it. That is why I put down the motion of no confidence.''
8.40pm
The first question from the floor, the candidates position on part time farmers participating in IFA committees?
Richard Kennedy: ''Full and part time farmers should be equal in IFA. ''
Pat Farrell: ''This is a rule that was probably brought in years ago, and this is one that has to be looked at.''
Nigel Renaghan: ''My campaign leaflet says I’m for young and part time farmers''. ''There are a lot of farmers out there that are part time that cannot run, we need to recognise the value of the part time farmer''.
8.37pm
Renaghan said we need to change things, ''only by being united you can do something''. He said he has achieved TAMS funding for the first time ever for a sector. ''I want to see €200/cow for the suckler cow and €20 for the ewe as well''.
8.34pm
Nigel Renaghan take the podium: A suckler, beef and poultry farmers from Monaghan. ''I just want to get an income from my farmer to support my family, and that is the reason I am here''.
8.33pm
He is involved in IFA as it protects income, as it does for all farmers. He said that there is a greater role for women in the IFA. He also highlighted flooding issues which need to be looked at. ''The most important issue is getting trust back into IFA.''
8.32pm
Kennedy said that as county chairman in Limerick, he said a highlight was a blockade at Rathkeale beef factory, which he said was a successful one, unlike more recent ones.
8.30pm
Richard Kennedy takes the podium: The Limerick based dairy farmer said that he has been appalled by the revelations from the organisation. ‘‘This election is about the return of the credibility and trust to IFA''.
8.17pm
Pat Farrell takes to the podium to outline his stance and objectives to be achieved: family farming, profitability of the sectors and handing the power in the IFA back to the grassroots members.
8.03pm
The crowd is slowly gathering in the Ballroom of Breaffy House, the hustings are expected to get underway shortly.
7.22pm
It's night two of week four in the IFA election hustings. We're in the Breaffy House Hotel where the Mayo IFA election debate will start within the hour... fingers crossed.
The Irish Farmers Journal will continue to bring you live blogs of all debates where presidential candidates are present at Farmersjournal.ie and on the mobile app.
| Mayo | Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar | Tue 1 Mar |
| Galway |
Raheen Woods, Athenry Deputy presidential candidates only, no live blog
| Thu 3 Mar |
| Westmeath | Mullingar Park Hotel | Fri 4 Mar |
| Sligo and Leitrim | Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon | Mon 7 Mar |
| Roscommon | Abbey Hotel, Roscommon | Tue 8 Mar |
| Donegal | Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny | Wed 9 Mar |
| Cavan | Hotel Kilmore, Cavan | Thu 10 Mar |
| Dublin | White House, St Margarets | Fri 11 Mar |
| Longford | Longford Arms Hotel | Mon 14 Mar |
| Monaghan | Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney | Tue 15 Mar |
| Louth | Dooleys Edmondstown, Ardee | Wed 16 Mar |
| Laois | Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Deputy presidential candidates only, no live blog | Mon 21 Mar |
| Kildare | Keadeen Hotel - presidential debate only | Mon 29 Feb |
| Meath | Newgrange Hotel, Navan | Wed 23 Mar |
| Offaly | Tullamore Court Hotel | Tue 29 Mar |
| South Tipperary | Cahir House Hotel, Cahir | Mon 29 Feb |
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