Two candidates have declared themselves in the running to be the next president of Macra na Feirme.

On Friday last, James Healy from Donoughmore, Co Cork, became the first to announce his intention to run to be the next president of the young farmer association. He previously served as the association’s vice president for Munster and currently is an associate member of Macra’s national council. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Healy said the focus of his campaign will be on the next Common Agricultural Policy and what it can deliver for farmers.

CAP talks

“The big one for me and for Macra, where we will be making a drive is around the renegotiation of CAP to address income instability for young farmers,” he said.

Healy works as a production supervisor with an electronics company and will take a two-year leave of absence should he be elected president.

On Monday, Co Wexford dairy farmer and journalist Odile Evans declared she will be contesting the election.

Evans is a news correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal and represents Wicklow Macra. She is the association’s vice president for Leinster and treasurer.

For Evans, CAP is also her main focus in the campaign.

“The biggest issue facing the young farmers and the future of the industry is the CAP. As it is, we are doing CAP consultation meetings and it is important we now get across our vision for the future of agriculture,” she said.

Evans confirmed she will be taking a period of unpaid leave from February in order to contest the race.

It is yet unclear if there will be a third candidate in the election campaign to succeed incumbent Seán Finan. The outcome of the race will be known in April.