It is now more than a week since the IFA made the news headlines for the wrong reasons. The aftershocks continue to be felt in marts and rural pubs all across the country. Meanwhile, non-farming friends and neighbours seek opportunities to put you on the spot and see your reaction. Not a good time to be an IFA member.

More than any other section of Irish society, farmers have a long and proud involvement in democratic organisation. Most of us start our learning in Macra na Tuathe/ Foroige or Macra na Feirme clubs. We learned and practiced the roles of chairman, secretary, treasurer and committee member. We learned meeting procedure, how to propose and second motions, the importance of rules, minutes and treasurers’ reports. Some of us graduated to co-op boards, sports clubs, ICA, Muintir na Tire, ICMSA and IFA branches. The ethic of fair procedure, of democratic decision-making and financial accountability is deeply ingrained, respected and expected among farming people. Perhaps this explains the level of disbelief, shock and outrage felt on this occasion.

The battle

What seems to have crept up on us is a new animal. This animal is called corporatism. The corporation is an entity that puts the achievement of its objectives above everything else. It was born in commerce and industry where its sole objective is profit. Principles of fairness, democracy and even accountability are never allowed to get in the way of this single objective. Our world is increasingly dominated by corporations.

The war

Thus, at the top, the IFA became corporatist while its roots continued to be democratic. This battle was inevitable. Personally, I continue to regard the things that I learned in Macra as fundamental. I continue to believe that humanity is about more than money, that the democratic structure is ultimately more civilised and dignified than corporatism and that we are not well served by the growth of unaccountable corporations that more and more control our lives. Therefore, I am fervently hoping that when the dust settles on this, it will be democratic IFA that survives strong and standing and the corporate animal that is left beaten and battered.

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Full coverage: Turmoil at the IFA