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Tim Cullinan was elected IFA president on Tuesday evening after he received 11,497 votes following the second count.
He received 3,163 transfers from Angus Woods’ votes, after Woods was eliminated in the first count.
Cullinan acknowledged the support he received in every county, thanking the 23,000 voters and mentioning those that didn’t come out to vote as well.
"Our job is to represent all farmers in the country. I ran a campaign for change and now intend to deliver it. We have to get a decent price for beef farmers,” he said.
He said that the general election and CAP budget are two of his key priorities.
"My campaign will be about action more than words,” he said.
Coughlan and Woods
John Coughlan received 9,937 votes on the night, 2,535 of which came from Woods’ transfers.
The quota to get elected was 11,443. There were 1,376 non-transferable votes from Woods.
Cullinan led a memorable battle against the Department of Agriculture over farm inspections which resulted in changes to the inspection regime. In recent months he lent his support to farmers protesting at factory gates during a tumultuous time for beef farmers.
The three candidates were neck and neck before the full result of the first count was announced.
At the first count, the result put Cullinan in the lead with 8,334 votes, Coughlan with 7,402 votes and Woods with 7,149.
Cullinan will take up his office after the IFA AGM in January.
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