Cowen takes helm at agriculture portfolio

DEPUTY Barry Cowen has been congratulated after being named as the new Minister for Agriculture – but the hard work starts in earnest, he has been warned.

The Fianna Fáil TD for Laois/ Offaly was announced as Deputy Michael Creed’s successor on Saturday, and Irish Farmers’ Association has said he looks forward to working with the Offaly native – while also giving him a warning of the task at hand.

“In comments today after Micheál Martin was elected Taoiseach, I highlighted the CAP Budget, Brexit and the new Climate Bill as urgent and critical issues for the new Government, but the Minister for Agriculture has many more issues to address, including the pressing need to get the €50m in funding for beef farmers out quickly,” Association Chaiperson Tim Cullinan has warned.

“The new Minister has to be clear that farming is a commercial activity and that the economic sustainability of farmers is at the centre of the sustainability debate.

“This Minister has a huge task as farmers are frustrated with what they perceive to be fundamental unfairness in the food chain.

“They are being asked to do more and more for less return as processors and retailers maximise their profits at the expense of farmers.

“In this regard, the creation of the new Food Ombudsman will be vital. This new body must have the scope to regulate the full food chain and have real powers to ensure a fair share of the retail price gets back to farmers,” he added.

Mr Cullinan also congratulated Senator Pippa Hackett, who was appointed as a ‘Super Junior’ Minister with responsibility for Land Use Management and Biodiversity. Mr Cullinan said he looks forward to working with Senator Hackett on issues of food production and climate action.

Finally, he thanked Deputy Creed for his services to the Department.

“We wish him and his family well for the future,” Mr Cullinan said.