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Mayo farmer Gerry Loftus has announced the formation of Ireland's Future – an umbrella group that aims to “bring a community together on a number of issues that affect the people of rural Ireland.”
The former Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (IHNFA) Mayo chair said: “The INHFA has done a lot of good work but it is too narrow an organisation. We need to concentrate on other issues.”
As well as dealing with topics such as environment, agriculture and climate change, Ireland’s Future will also handle problems of health, education and other areas of concern for small rural villages, he said.
Message
Speaking about the Government’s plan to plant commercial sitka spruce forests, the campaigner wants to send a message to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Ministers Doyle, Creed and Bruton that “rural Ireland is not for sale” and he would like to see proposals that benefit the Irish people.
The group is in its infancy, with 150 members joining since its formation last July, according to Loftus, and he hopes to see an official launch in mid-November.
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