Richard Kennedy was something of an outsider coming into the IFA deputy president debate. The dairy farmer from Clarina, near Limerick city, has been outside the upper echelons of farm politics since 2009.
Kennedy was one the defeated candidates in the 2009 IFA presidential election. John Byran won that contest. After nearly a decade out of the national eye, why has Kennedy decided to come back into the fold to compete in this race?
“I hadn’t any intention of standing for senior office in IFA again, but I’m very concerned about the situation in IFA. As a family farmer, I need IFA to represent me. There is a sense of loss amongst farmers. IFA needs experience and leadership to restore trust. When someone is in trouble, you go to help them. The IFA is in trouble.
“I want IFA to start afresh, the focus must be on how best to move forward – we need to move forward,” Kennedy said referencing the turmoil in the association since the resignations of former general secretary Pat Smith and former president Eddie Downey.
“A lot of the groundwork is done in that regard through the Lucey report, but more needs to be done. In terms of what we know, I would abide by whatever council decides, but as deputy president my focus would be to set out from the beginning to make a clean start as a new regime.”
With that in mind, what is the single biggest issue facing the IFA at present?
“Farm incomes. Each commodity committee within IFA needs to come up with proposals on how we can secure a decent income for that sector. We first have to look at the consumer price, and then examine what is a reasonable and fair share of that final price for the primary producer,” Kennedy said.
With regard to the beef and dairy sectors, Kennedy said there are progressive and practical solutions to help farmers.
“The gap in beef price between the UK and Ireland needs to be tackled. The only logical explanation is that it’s processor and retailer profit taking.
“In terms of milk price volatility, we have to get through it as best we can. Farmers need good information. I like the ICOS proposal on being able to save away money from a good year to use when times are tougher. Fixed price milk schemes are another progressive and important step.”
Kennedy’s age (64) has been raised as being an issue. Some feel that he is too old to run as he would be at retirement age in two years’ time when a contest will be held again.
“I don’t think it is (the age),” Kennedy argued.
“I’m healthy and full of energy. I was calving a cow at 3am this morning. I could run for US president with no-one batting an eyelid; I’m younger than Hillary Clinton, never mind Bernie Sanders.
“I have huge regard for the three presidential candidates, and I feel I could work well with whichever of them is elected. I would add experience, judgement, and energy, and I would sincerely look forward to doing the job full-on, if elected.
CV
Richard KennedyAge: 64Home farm: Clarina, Co Limerick.Farm: 120ha owned and rented.System: Dairy and beef farmer.Family: Married to Helen with six children – Anne-Marie, Thomas, James, Elaine, Jane and Elizabeth.Current: No current role in IFA.Past: Macra na Feirme president, Limerick chair, national dairy committee chair. Read more
IFA deputy presidential election candidates interviews:
Nigel RenaghanPat FarrellFull coverage: IFA elections 2016
Richard Kennedy was something of an outsider coming into the IFA deputy president debate. The dairy farmer from Clarina, near Limerick city, has been outside the upper echelons of farm politics since 2009.
Kennedy was one the defeated candidates in the 2009 IFA presidential election. John Byran won that contest. After nearly a decade out of the national eye, why has Kennedy decided to come back into the fold to compete in this race?
“I hadn’t any intention of standing for senior office in IFA again, but I’m very concerned about the situation in IFA. As a family farmer, I need IFA to represent me. There is a sense of loss amongst farmers. IFA needs experience and leadership to restore trust. When someone is in trouble, you go to help them. The IFA is in trouble.
“I want IFA to start afresh, the focus must be on how best to move forward – we need to move forward,” Kennedy said referencing the turmoil in the association since the resignations of former general secretary Pat Smith and former president Eddie Downey.
“A lot of the groundwork is done in that regard through the Lucey report, but more needs to be done. In terms of what we know, I would abide by whatever council decides, but as deputy president my focus would be to set out from the beginning to make a clean start as a new regime.”
With that in mind, what is the single biggest issue facing the IFA at present?
“Farm incomes. Each commodity committee within IFA needs to come up with proposals on how we can secure a decent income for that sector. We first have to look at the consumer price, and then examine what is a reasonable and fair share of that final price for the primary producer,” Kennedy said.
With regard to the beef and dairy sectors, Kennedy said there are progressive and practical solutions to help farmers.
“The gap in beef price between the UK and Ireland needs to be tackled. The only logical explanation is that it’s processor and retailer profit taking.
“In terms of milk price volatility, we have to get through it as best we can. Farmers need good information. I like the ICOS proposal on being able to save away money from a good year to use when times are tougher. Fixed price milk schemes are another progressive and important step.”
Kennedy’s age (64) has been raised as being an issue. Some feel that he is too old to run as he would be at retirement age in two years’ time when a contest will be held again.
“I don’t think it is (the age),” Kennedy argued.
“I’m healthy and full of energy. I was calving a cow at 3am this morning. I could run for US president with no-one batting an eyelid; I’m younger than Hillary Clinton, never mind Bernie Sanders.
“I have huge regard for the three presidential candidates, and I feel I could work well with whichever of them is elected. I would add experience, judgement, and energy, and I would sincerely look forward to doing the job full-on, if elected.
CV
Richard KennedyAge: 64Home farm: Clarina, Co Limerick.Farm: 120ha owned and rented.System: Dairy and beef farmer.Family: Married to Helen with six children – Anne-Marie, Thomas, James, Elaine, Jane and Elizabeth.Current: No current role in IFA.Past: Macra na Feirme president, Limerick chair, national dairy committee chair. Read more
IFA deputy presidential election candidates interviews:
Nigel RenaghanPat FarrellFull coverage: IFA elections 2016
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