The IFA will hold a major farming and food conference at the Curragh Racecourse on Thurs, Oct 31st.
Taoiseach Simon Harris will deliver the keynote address at the event entitled Farming and Food – A Sector Worth Backing.
The Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue will deliver the closing address.
IFA President Francie Gorman 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 a general election on the horizon, Francie Gorman said there has to be a greater understanding of the very real pressures that exist for farmers.
“From rising costs to increased regulation and tighter margins due to retailer dominance, we have to find a way that rewards those who are putting in the work and investment. If there isn’t a recognition of this, it will be very difficult to convince young people to come into farming,” he said.
Places are limited. To register for the event click here.
Conference Programme
| 09:30 | Registration/Tea/Coffee | |
| 10:15 | Conference Opening | |
| Session I, II and III moderator: Sean O’Rourke, Broadcaster & Podcaster | ||
| 10:20 | SESSION I: Challenges and opportunities in the global market | Jim O’Toole – CEO, Bord Bia Conor Galvin – CEO, Ornua |
| 11:30 | SESSION II: Meeting the regulatory landscape | Frank O’Mara – Director, Teagasc |
| 12:00 | SESSION III: The political challenges | Francie Gorman, IFA President Keynote Address – An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD |
| 13:00 | Lunch | |
| Session IV and V moderator: Jack Kennedy, Editor, Irish Farmers Journal | ||
| 14:15 | SESSION IV: The next five years: What will be different? | Niamh Lenehan – CEO, The Office of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) Liam MacHale – IFA Director of European Affairs, Brussels Joining the panel Frank O’Mara – Director, Teagasc Alice Doyle – IFA Deputy President |
| 15:30 | SESSION V: Closing Address: The next five years | Charlie McConalogue TD – Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Joining the panel Francie Gorman – IFA President |
| 16:15 | Conference Ends. | |