One side of the divided Beef Plan Movement has rebranded itself as the Irish Beef and Lamb Association.

The side calling itself the Beef Plan Movement Association held its inaugural AGM virtually last Saturday 15 May and adopted the name change.

The first motion on the agenda was for a name change to the association, the association told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“It was felt by most people that the association would benefit from a name change to avoid confusion that existed with a company with a similar name,” it said, that company being Beef Plan Movement CLG, which is chaired by Eamon Corley.

“Our new name Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) was agreed on following a vote taken during the meeting. Lamb was included in the new name of the association to reflect an increase in scope,” the IBLA said.

The group has said it will now lobby “on behalf of the many, many sheep farmers who came out to help during the protests in 2019 and who sought for us to represent them also”, adding that sheep farmers will now play a key part of the association.

The association is run by a national committee, led by chairman Patrick Rooney (Galway) and vice chair Gerald Pilkington (Sligo). The remaining committee members are Dermot O’Brien (Kerry), Enda Fingleton (Laois), Eoin Donnelly (Galway), Tony McPhilips (Monaghan), Tommie Regan (Roscommon), Brendan Barry (Leitrim), Gerry Finnegan (Louth), Alan O'Brien (Kilkenny) and Dermot Brennan (Sligo).

At least 300 people viewed the AGM at the weekend.

Constitution

A new constitution has been drafted and was shared prior to the AGM, where members then proceeded to adopt it.

The IBLA plans to stabilise the association and grow the membership in 2021.

It also plans on lobbying as a recognised farm representative body, continue its representation on the beef taskforce and PGI oversight committees, and address issues around environment challenges and recommend solutions.

It has called for a red meat regulator to be appointed and wants the position of farmers in the supply chain to be strengthened.