The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Dairygold Chair elected as Chairman of ICOS
DAIRYGOLD Co-operative Society Chairman John O’Gorman has been elected as chairperson of the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society (ICOS).
The County Tipperary native is himself a dairy farmer and has been a member of the ICOS Dairy Committee and Board since 2018. He replaces Peter Fleming, who has retired from both the ICOS board and the Ornua Co-op board.
The board represents 130 co-op enterprises with 150,000 individual members, 12,000 employees and a combined turnover of some €14billion.
Despite the heady responsibility he has been afforded in this role at a difficult time, Mr O’Gorman said he is humbled at receiving the position.
“I’m honoured to have been elected Chairman of the ICOS Dairy Committee at this pivotal time for the Irish dairy sector,” he said. “We are in unprecedented times due to COVID-19, environmental sustainability challenges and with Brexit uncertainty firmly back on the agenda.
“The requirements to produce safe, nutritious food with minimal environmental implications is one of the most pressing challenges facing the dairy sector with the publication in recent weeks of the new Programme for Government at National Level and the Farm to Fork Strategy at EU level.
“I am confident the dairy sector can rise to these challenges through the continued adoption of good, efficient farming practices, alongside our carbon efficient grass-based model of production, which is the cornerstone of the Irish dairy sector.
“Income volatility affecting primary producers and the implementation of the EU’s Veterinary Medicines Regulation are also important issues of concern to our members.
“I am grateful to the members of the ICOS Dairy Committee for the confidence and trust they have shown in me and I look forward to representing dairy farmers and their Co-op’s at this crucial time.
“I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Peter Fleming who served as Chairman with great energy and leadership,” he added. Carbery Group and Drinagh Co-op Chair TJ Sullivan will replace Peter Fleming on the Dairy Committee and Board at ICOS.