I am indebted and will be forever grateful to the members of Macra na Feirme who elected me to serve as the national president of our amazing organisation back in April 2015. The presidency has been a full-time role for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was very fortunate to have met such wonderful people along the way – both within the Macra na Feirme membership and wider agri-industry circles.

From the outset, my main objective was to continue the work of my predecessors in the role and continue to grow and develop the organisation during my term. We would never have thought at the start of my term that Brexit would now be a reality.

Over the past two years, our organisation has also seen considerable change. In late 2015 I suggested a full review of the operational and organisational aspects of the organisation be conducted. We commissioned Jack Keyes to complete this review and he presented his report in April 2016. His recommendations are currently being implemented.

Change at the top

In May 2016, our long-serving CEO Edmond Connolly decided to pursue a change in career. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Edmond for the contribution he made to Macra na Feirme during his time.

Recruiting a new CEO is one of the more difficult tasks that any Macra na Feirme president may have to undertake. In October 2016,we welcomed Denis Duggan to Macra na Feirme as our new CEO.

Strategic plan

At this weekend’s AGM, the Macra na Feirme strategic plan 2017 – 2024 will be presented to the membership. It clearly plots the future direction of the organisation and actions required to deliver the members’ vision for the organisation. Approved by the National Council, the plan was drafted by Pat Bogue and Ciaran Lynch following an extensive consultation with the membership and our various stakeholders over the last few months.

Highlights

There were many highlights over the past two years such as:

  • The presentation to Commissioner Hogan, MEPs in Brussels and Irish politicians of our CAP 2020 – Young farmer road map for generational renewal policy paper, which was generated following an extensive consultation with approximately 1,000 young farmers.
  • Launching the Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet programme in July 2015 and its continued growth.
  • Representing young farmers on various forums and committees.
  • Successfully lobbying for a €1,000 top-up payment for young dairy farmers on the EU dairy aid package money and access for new-entrant sheep farmers in the sheep welfare scheme.
  • Launching the Safe Agri Skills programme in association with ABP Food Group at the Ploughing in 2016.
  • Meeting with all county/regional executives to acknowledge and support county officers at local level.
  • Partaking in a successful mental-health seminar entitled “Let’s TALK” at Rally 2015.
  • Lobbying to secure a 2017 National Reserve for young, trained farmers.
  • Participation in numerous CEJA working groups in Brussels and CEJA events in Luxembourg, Milan and Cologne.
  • Launching the Afforestation Policy document developed by Thomas Duffy and the Agri Affairs committee.
  • Presentation of submission to Minister Creed for an amendment to the Rural Development Programme to include grazing infrastructure (roadways and water infrastructure) in TAMS.
  • The continued growth of the Land Mobility service – supported by FBD Trust, Aurivo, Glanbia, Dairygold and the Department of Agriculture. In the pilot phase from 2014 to 2016, this service resulted in the mobilisation of approximately 25,000 acres of land in 282 collaborative farming arrangements.
  • Highlighting issues affecting young farmers and rural youth to various Oireachtas committees.
  • Ranking of Macra na Feirme as one of the top 10 lobbying organisations in Ireland.
  • Appointment as a CEJA representative to the CAP Civil Dialogue group.
  • Welcoming Agri Aware and the Irish Farmers Journal to my farm to shoot the Agri Aware CAP series video on the Young Farmer Scheme.

    • And finally ...

    Macra na Feirme is a wonderful organisation with a very enthusiastic and committed membership. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and support of the three outgoing vice presidents: Caroline O’Dowd in the north west, Odile Evans in Leinster and Gerard Griffin in Munster.

    Thanks to the national officers of the organisations and committee chairs who served in the various roles over the last two years. I would also like to acknowledge the support and work of all the Macra na Feirme staff, led by CEO Denis Duggan. Finally, I sincerely thank all the volunteer members and leaders for their support and encouragement during my time as national president.

    Best of luck to you all for the future.

    Seán Finan

    National President 2015 – 2017.