Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack met with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin in Limerick on Monday 3 February.

McCormack told the election candidate that there are “do-able, practical, fair and progressive” solutions possible to the challenges facing Irish farming.

he said that from day one of the election campaign, it has been “perfectly obvious” on which two issues the farmer and broader rural vote would depend.

Income and attacks

“We said before the general election was even called that from a farmer and agri perspective, two particular issues would dominate: pressure on farm incomes and margins plus the relentless and totally unfair attacks on farming by the most extreme elements in the environmental movement that aims at making farming the ‘whipping boy’ for Ireland’s perceived climate infringements,” said the association leader.

“The campaign so far has borne out our analysis and from all over the State, we are getting feedback from our members that these are the two issues dominating the national question,” he said.

An ICMSA guide to general election 2020 was presented to the politician. According to the association, it identifies, lists and provides solutions to the issues that are holding back the sustainable development of Irish farming and food sectors.

“We want to emphasise that these issues can be solved if addressed with the right policies and determination," said McCormack.

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