The are: Senator Lisa Chambers (FF); Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP (Ind); Rory Hearne (SD); Fergal Landy (Lab); Chris MacManus MEP (Sinn Féin); Saoirse McHugh (Ind); Ciaran Mullooly (Ind Ireland); Brian O’Boyle (PBP); Senator Pauline O’Reilly (GP); James Reynolds (NP); Michelle Smith (Ind); Peader Toibín, TD (Aontú); and Maria Walsh MEP (FG).
IFA Connacht regional chair Brendan Golden is encouraging farmers to attend and put the candidates’ policy positions under scrutiny ahead of polling day on June 7.
“It is time for the political system to stand up for farming and food production. As farmers, we are proud of what we do and how we do it. Farmers are sick of being over-regulated and underpaid. Enough is enough,” he said.
The IFA has identified four key issues – using the acronym CORE – that need to be addressed by the EU: CAP; Over Regulation; Retain the Nitrates Derogation; and Environmental fairness.
“Farmers are frustrated with how they have been treated by the political system in recent years. There has been a complete focus on environmental sustainability, but insufficient consideration for economic and social sustainability,” he said.
“Candidates who want an understanding of what matters to farmers can find our issues in the manifesto that we have produced. It reflects the discussions that happen at our County Executives, our National Committees and National Council, which is made up of our democratically elected farmer officers,” he said.
Gowran Park Racecourse will host a meeting for Ireland South on Tuesday, May 7, followed by a second meeting for Midlands North West in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar on Wednesday, May 8.