Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard has been elected vice-chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Also serving as the Seanad spokesperson on agriculture, Senator Lombard said his key priorities for the committee will include focusing on how to protect the agricultural community from the effects of a hard Brexit.

Safeguarding fishing industry

CAP reform and how it will affect the income of family farms has been highlighted for focus by the Senator, as well as safeguarding the fishing industry and pioneering farm safety on the committee.

Senator Lombard said: “I am passionate about farm safety. We need a cultural change where safety is the number one priority on every farm in the country and new practices to help implement this.

“I will also focus on the challenges a hard Brexit would have on the fishing industry. It is one of the most exposed sectors in the event of a hard border. We need to ensure our rural fishing communities are protected at all costs.”