IFA and Ica to Collaborate on Issues of Common Concern

Following a meeting between IFA President, Eddie Downey and ICA President, Liz Wall, in the Irish Farm Centre this week, the two organisations have agreed to collaborate on areas of common concern.

Following the meeting, IFA Farm Family Chairperson Maura Canning, who attended the meeting, said: “The collaboration makes sense for both organisations. We have cross membership and many of our issues and priorities are very similar. Farm safety and rural isolation are two of the key issues the IFA and ICA have been working hard on individually. We hope that through collaboration we can strengthen and advance these important issues further.”

Another major focus for both organisations is generating support for local communities and economies, ICA President Liz Wall said: “IFA and ICA are at the heart of the community across Ireland. Our joint efforts will focus on community development and helping to develop local economies by supporting local producers and businesses.”

Other issues affecting rural Ireland and IFA and ICA members discussed included women’s pensions, the Fair Deal Scheme and the stress and bureaucracy involved in farm inspections on all the family.

The IFA and ICA will have further interaction over the coming months to develop strategies to address our common concerns.