Presentation is made to Tom for 28 years service
A special presentation ceremony took place recently to acknowledge the role played by local man, Tom Doyle, in the success of Wexford Farmers Co-Op (WFC).
Mr Doyle retired as outgoing Chairman of the board after an association with the organisation going back 28 years.
During that time he saw a lot of change in farming.
His long association with the organisation was borne out of the fact that he served as a board member, secretary and also Chairperson.
Speaking to this newspaper he said he was initially asked to get involved as a result of one of the board members retiring,
‘That was 28 years ago and I’ve been involved ever since,’ he said.
‘I didn’t anticipate at the time that I would be involved for this long though,’ he added.
‘Most members would get involved for a few years and then move away but after being a board member I became secretary and also served as Chairman and that’s why I’ve been involved with it directly for so long.’
When he was asked to join initially he said he had a big interest in it so the decision was relatively easy.
‘For the last number of years I was Chairman,’ said Mr Doyle, to whom the recent presentation was made by current WFC Chief Executive Officer, Frank Devoy.
Having been involved for so long Mr Doyle has seen a number of changes taking place within the sector and he told this newspaper that farming itself has changed a lot over the last 28 years.
‘There have been huge changes in farming in that time,’ said Mr Doyle.
He said the farming sector has overcome a lot of difficult times over the last three decades including the beef crisis and the foot-and-mouth crisis which, he said, ‘had a significant impact’.
‘However, we worked through all of them and came out ok at the other end,’ he said.
‘We kept the business going and it hopefully continue to do so,’ he added.
Mr Doyle said insurance has had a significant impact on the organisation.
‘We have to be very careful with access now,’ he said.
‘We have to balance allowing buyers access but at the same time we have to ensure that people remain safe,’ he added.
‘We have to have balance as best we can.’
Mr Doyle went on to comment: ‘We have to have balance to ensure that customers can continue to do their business but minimise risk.’
During his time within Wexford Farmers Co-Op, Mr Doyle also served as Chairperson of the National Marts Committee and was also President of the Association of European Livestock Marts for two years.
‘I suppose I have a good understanding of marts and how they work,’ said Mr Doyle.
‘It’s going to be difficult for some marts in the country to survive because there are too many to be sustainable,’ he added.
‘There are as many in Ireland as there are in England and Scotland, and as many as there are in France.’
However, despite such challenges Mr Doyle is confident for the future of Wexford Mart.
‘I would be confident that there is a long term future for it in Wexford,’ he said.
Last year Wexford Farmers Co-Op held a very successful 50th anniversary celebration of Wexford Mart in Enniscorthy - where it has always been located.
It was a very successful event that Mr Doyle was proud to be associated with.
‘I was always farming and I will still be involved in the IFA,’ he said.
‘I have an interest in the mart so I will be keeping in close contact with it anyway,’ he added.
‘I know the Board will keep it running as well as they possibly can and I am confident for its long term future.’
In addition to the importance of marts in terms of their commercial significance to those involved in the farming sector he said they also serve a very important social function.
‘Marts have a social function and they help combat rural isolation and that’s something that can’t be overstated,’ he said.
‘They give people an opportunity to meet like-minded people and for some it might be the only social interaction they have all week,’ he added.
‘For some the opportunity to talk to people like themselves, with the same interests, is rare and that’s why they are so important.’