Why are you running for IFA president?: “I am running because farmers have been walked on for the past few years. They’re under pressure from factories, retailers and the Government. It’s time to stand up and fight back.”

Current state of Irish farming: “Beef, sheep and tillage prices are unsustainable. Farmers have already paid the cost of Brexit over the past two years. We need to ensure the next CAP reform delivers sufficient payments to farmers. Dairy farmers are under attack from all sides – we need to ensure they can continue to drive on.”

\ Odhran Ducie

Current state of the IFA: “It costs €10m per year to run the IFA. I’m pledging that for every €1 put in I will give value back to farmers. We need to listen to farmers at grass roots, at county executive level, and bring the message back to headquarters. The IFA has 72,000 members and the power of that membership needs to be harnessed. The IFA needs a leader who will do that and achieve results.”

Splintering of farm organisations: “There are a lot of new farm groups starting up and that’s creating problems. I want to protect the IFA brand. We need the IFA back in its rightful place as the main farm organisation. The IFA has to be fearlessly on the farmers’ side.”

Beef: “There’s money in the beef industry for everyone – bar farmers. We have to get back to where the farmer gets a fair share of the final price. I’ll fight the fight on that. We need an end to below-cost selling. I’ll go to Brussels and get the legislation to deliver that.”

\ Odhran Ducie

Dairy expansion: “Dairy farmers have to be allowed expand. They’ve invested heavily in the infrastructure on their own farms and in their co-ops. We don’t want any more shackles on them. They are the most efficient in the world and the most environmentally friendly in producing milk.”

CAP reform: “Farmers who have built up a payment over the years are entitled to it – they’ve worked hard for it. All farmers are entitled to adequate income. Farmers in the west of Ireland have to be protected. We have a Government that is about to throw €5bn on buying carbon credits or paying fines over the next 10 years. Part of that money has to be channelled into farming.”

\ Odhran Ducie

Climate change: “Too many people are blaming agriculture for climate change. I would ask Teagasc to review emissions from farming, given the lush, high-quality grass we produce. It must take account of our hedgerows which act as a carbon sink. We have a lot of sterilised land – that could be used to plant trees.”

How would you define a viable farm?“If they can make an income for their family, in either intensive or part-time farming, then they are viable. Anybody who wants to farm is entitled to do so.”

Brexit: “The beef barons have already profiteered on the back of Brexit. If we have a Brexit we must have a serious compensation package to help farmers.”

Key facts

  • Tim Cullinan (59), from Toomevara, Co Tipperary, runs a commercial pig farm with his wife Margaret.
  • They have two sons, Stephen (27) and Brian (21).
  • Cullinan is 20 years active in the IFA. As county chair, he rose to national prominence by successfully tackling the Department of Agriculture over high farm inspection penalties in Tipperary north. He achieved changes and farmer concerns eased.
  • As pigs chair during a price crisis, he persuaded major retailers to sell 100% Irish pigmeat and obtained a 12c price increase from retailers to be passed back to farmers.
  • He is the IFA’s current national treasurer.