The event takes place at the Curragh Racecourse on Thursday, October 31 and will feature the chief executive of Bord Bia, Jim O’Toole and the chief executive of Ornua, Conor Galvin who will take part in the first session, followed by the director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara.
Taoiseach Simon Harris will deliver the keynote address at the event at 12pm after IFA president Francie Gorman sets the scene. The agri-food regulator, Niamh Lenehan and IFA’s director of European Affairs, Liam MacHale will address the conference in the afternoon where they will be joined on the panel by the IFA deputy president, Alice Doyle. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue will deliver the closing address.
Former RTĖ broadcaster Sean O’Rourke will moderate the morning sessions, while editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Jack Kennedy will take over for the afternoon sessions.
Commenting, the IFA president said the event comes at a critical time for farming. “The challenges facing the sector will require concerted action from all stakeholders, specifically the Government,” he said.
He said the viability of farmers will be at the heart of the discussions. With the general election due to be held next month, Francie Gorman said there needs to be a greater understanding amongst policy makers of the very real pressures that exist for farmers.