Laois man pledges 'fearless leadership' as election looms

Six months on from announcing his candidacy to become the next President of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Laois man Francie Gorman's election campaign is drawing to a close ahead of the counting of votes at the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin on Decmber 12.

The Ballinakill beef, suckler and sheep farmer is the current South Leinster IFA chairman and is seeking to replace Tipperary’s Tim Cullinan whose four-year term comes to an end later this month. Mr Gorman will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the late Padraig Walsh from Durrow who was President from 2006-2010.

IFA members voted at the 940 branch meetings held across the country during November, while thousands more have been availing of the newly introduced postal voting system which closes next week.

Mr Gorman has received significant support for his election bid in recent months including endorsements from various IFA County Chairs and past Presidents of the Association, as well as the assistance of teams of canvassers from Laois and across Ireland. He thanked all who have helped out.

"I am hugely grateful for the support I have received from my family, friends, neighbours, Laois IFA and supporters throughout the country, without which it would simply not have been possible to run a campaign as comprehensive and sustained as we did.

"Because of this support, we got to engage directly with farmers in every corner of Ireland and impress upon them the change that is required within IFA and Irish agriculture will require ambitious and fearless leadership, which I am committed to bringing to the table,” he said.

He outlined some of the key issues that came up on the canvas of thousands of farmers across the 26 counties of Ireland.

"Aside from the constant need to improve commodity prices and ongoing issues around engagement with the Department on the various schemes, the potential diminution of our food production output remains the single biggest issue facing farmers,” said Mr Gorman.

Pictured are Francie Gorman with Brian Brennan at the Knock Vintage Men’s shed opening. Pic: Alf Harvey

He pledged to fight for farm incomes in a changing environment facing farms.

“Ireland produces its milk, beef and grain as sustainably as anywhere else in the world and if it's not produced here it's going to be produced by countries with a bigger environmental footprint. Neither Irish farmers nor the environment benefit from such a scenario, which is why I will fight for Irish producers to improve their incomes and maintain their right to continue to operate sustainably,” he said.

Another message he has taken from the campaign is the need for Ireland's biggest farming association to move with the times.

“IFA needs to change. The Farm Centre needs to change. Every IFA member has an equal right to representation and should accept nothing less than strong leadership on the issues that affect their livelihoods. I will lead IFA on the basis of unity, strength and delivery,” he said.

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Mr Gorman concluded by urging Laois farmers who have received their ballot paper, but have not yet voted, to avail of the postal vote system on or before next Monday, December 11.

“While branch meetings concluded on Wednesday, it is important for members who have not yet voted to ensure they have a say on the future direction IFA takes,” he commented.

For more visit www.franciegorman.com