This article is from page 36 of the 2008-02-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
AFTER four years at the helm of Clare’s largest farming organisation Seamus Murphy last week complet- ed his term of office as President of the IFA in Clare.
The IFA’s National President, Pa- draig Walshe, made the journey to Ennis earlier this month to witness the last Clare IFA AGM hosted by Mr Murphy.
Seamus has served as Clare IFA President since 2004 and has more than 30 years of voluntary service to the IFA and Macra under his belt.
Having presided over some one the most interesting and challeng- ing times in recent farming history, Seamus will now take up the role
of Clare IFA vice president along- side newly elected president Michael Lynch.
“Seamus has been an excellent chairman over his four year term. He has led the executive very effectively and very efficiently,’ said new Clare IFA President, Michael Lynch.
“He was involved in numerous campaigns to further the interests of Clare farmers, whither that was in dealing with officials locally or at the various protests and demonstra- tion that we had around the country.
“He was especially involved in tackling problems that we would have had in relation to the pricing of cattle and sheep and occasionally problems with some of the dairy co-
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op’s.
Mr Lynch is no stranger in the IFA at local and national level has held many important roles in the past including Animal Health and Farm Business Representative for Clare and Vice Chairman of National Livestock Committee.
“Over the next few years I would think that to maintain a sufficient price for farm produce would be one of the main challenged over the next few years. To make sure that farm- ers can get a margin over costs,’ he Sr HLG
‘TL also want to look at our increased dependence in recent times on the Single Farm Payment, Forestry Pay- ments, Area Aid Payments and the REPS Payments.
“There are serious problems with
the REPS at the moment. One of the biggest challenges will come in a few years time when the Single Farm Payment comes up for a serious re- view which could have a huge effect on farmers in Clare.
“We urgently need price increases at a level that will not only cover our costs but give us a margin to reinvest as well. That is the only way that farming can have a sustainable fu- ture. We cannot be so dependent on these payments.”