Brexit and CAP reform high on IFA AGM agenda
MEMBERS of the farming community from right across County Wexford flocked to the IFA Centre recently as Wexford IFA hosted its AGM. All 53 branches across the county were represented on the night with the assembled crowd numbering well over 200 people.
Guest speaker on the night was IFA President Mr Joe Healy who spoke at length on key issues that look set to face farmers in 2018, among them CAP reform, the long-running saga of Brexit, Mercosur and Nitrates Derogation. As well as this, Joe spoke on all farm commodities, with a particular focus on grain farmers – a segment which accounts for a substantial amount of farmers in Co. Wexford.
The AGM also saw a vote take place for the position of Farm Family and Social affairs Chairperson to replace the outgoing Marie Redmond. A stalwart of the Clonroche branch, Marie had served her six-year term and was thanked for all her hard work by County Chairman James Kehoe who also presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation.
Alice Doyle of the Camolin branch and Anna Kehoe from Ballycullane both pitched for the vacant role, but the results of the voting saw Alice take a narrow win and she now looks forward to getting started in the role.
Other changes on the night included John Murphy from Monageer taking over from Mark Browne as Grain Chairperson for the County. Mark had just recently been appointed as IFA Grain Committee Chairman for the whole country.
When all the formalities were done, the County Chairman was delighted to present a cheque for €2760.88 to the Hope Cancer Support Centre. The money was raised through the wonderful Live Crib which the centre hosted before Christmas and which drew a great crowd.
There was also a presentation to George Williamson from the Rathangan Branch who was made an Honorary Life Member of the IFA. It was a proud moment for George and his family and he was presented with his award by the IFA President Joe Healy.