State bodies operating under the oversight of the Department of Agriculture such as Bord Bia and Teagasc should have their funding tied to gender balance on their governing boards and in senior leadership positions, according to Fianna Fáil.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan and TD for Louth Erin McGreehan said the move would give a clear sign to the wider industry.

Deputy Moynihan is chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Deputy McGreehan is chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.

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The party colleagues made their comments while advocating for the greater recognition of women in agriculture.

In terms of board makeup, both Bord Bia and Teagasc have already secured gender balance with a 50/50 split on the former’s board and more women than men on the latter’s.

Both Deputy Moynihan and Deputy McGreehan said this gender balance should continue and that it should be carried through to senior leadership roles within both organisations.

Loud statement

They both said funding should be tied to the state bodies hitting such gender balance targets.

“I think it would be a great idea,” Deputy Moynihan said.

“We saw the way it was a Fianna Fáil minister that insisted on that in sports, for sports capital as well.

“I think it would be a very loud clear statement and for people to be able to see, that women would see that there is a future for them in farming as well.”

Deputy McGreehan said there was “definitely” scope for such a move within agricultural state bodies.

“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it,” she said.

The Coillte governing board includes three women and six men.

The National Milk Agency board has four women and 12 men.

Deputy Moynihan also said funding for women in agriculture should be tied down and made compulsory in the upcoming CAP budget, and not left up to the discretion of member states.

“You do have so many women who are involved in farming but are not actually recognised,” he said.