Farmer seeks votes as he bids to become next IFA president

WITH voting underway to elect a new president of the Irish Famers Association, one of the two candidates has planted a flag firmly on honest ground as he campaigns to lead the organisation.

Seeking the vote of farmers across the country, Martin Stapleton says he will not make any false promises and will be honest and hard-working.

The Limerick farmer says this approach has been well received by farmers in all sectors, who have told him their needs are not being respected, their freedom to farm reduced, their incomes threatened and their representative organisation disunited.

The father-of-three says farmers need a progressive leader like him to work hard to secure the future of Irish farming.

Married to Siobhan with three teenage children - Jessica, James and Vicky -  Martin has a strong record of service to farmers
particularly as the IFA’s Farm Business Chair.

Elected to this position for his professional approach, it has given him huge commercial experience, necessary to face the tough negotiations for a workable solution to the changes facing Irish farmers.

Described as a man farmers can trust to bring in smart policy choices through direct and robust negotiations, many farmers are convinced he can turn around the IFA and make it more relevant to farmers.

As well as a long history in family farming and as an active member of the IFA, Martin also works to promote Cultivate, the Credit Union banking service specially geared towards farmers.

He has worked as the Chair of the IFA Debt Support Service, helping hundreds of farmers to hold on to their farms when their loans were sold to vulture funds.

Martin was previously the National Returning Officer and is currently National Treasurer of the IFA and represents the organisation on the Irish Banking Culture Board.

"The President of the IFA for 2024 – 2028 needs to unite the organisation as the force in Irish agriculture it once was," he said adding: "I am convinced that my progressive approach will reassert our influence as a powerful voice for farmers when lobbying the governments in Dublin and Brussels. I have the experience and the drive to succeed in restoring respect for
farmers, to give farmers the right to farm as they see fit, to protect our incomes and to unify the IFA."

The Limerick farmer says he believes the IFA must bring more women and more young people to the forefront of the organisation.

"We must protect the vulnerable sectors and to do that, we must have a strong voice at the negotiation table, able and willing to frame the policies that will best serve farmers in these rapidly changing times. A vote for me will be repaid by hard work for all Irish farmers." 

The other candidate in the presidential election is Francie Gorman - a suckler beef and sheep farmer from Ballinakill in Laois.

Francie, the current South Leinster Regional Chair, is married to Kay, with whom he has a son, Tom.

The Election Count will take place in Dublin on Tuesday, December 12.