Kerry Macra na Feirme young farmer development group organised a TD lobbying night, which saw Kerry candidates running in the forthcoming general election address and answer questions from members of the farming community from around the county at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, recently.

Macra’s Derrie Dillon opened by addressing the crowd with issues affecting young farmers such as land availability, access to credit, training and education.

Nine out of the 14 candidates were present. Kerry county chair John Mike Fitzgerald chaired the proceedings. Each candidate was given two minutes to give their election pitch. The floor was then opened to questions.

The main issues addressed on the night were the lack of availability of land to young farmers with calls for the reintroduction of the Early Retirement Scheme, a decrease in farm incomes, commodity prices, criticism of how beef processors are continuously driving down the returns for farmers, Larry Goodman’s control over the national kill, calendar farming, the price of milk over the coming years, mental health, rural isolation and emigration.

The night was a great success and Kerry Macra would like to thank all involved.