Eddie Downey launches IFA presidency campaign

Slane farmer Eddie Downey, currently deputy president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, promised that as president of the farm organisation, he would lead farmers and the agriculture industry through a phase of growth with strong and pro-active initiatives.
He was speaking at the launch of his campaign for the IFA presidency, which took place at the Tayto Park Visitors’ Centre in Curraha at the weekend.
Mr Downey said the challenges facing farmers and Irish agriculture have never been greater.
Mr Downey, a former chairman of the IFA’s National Farm Business Committee, said the key challenge for the new IFA president and for the future of Irish agriculture is to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities.  
“With my experience as IFA deputy president and a track record of over 15 years of active involvement in IFA at branch, county, national and European level, I have the experience, ability, and commitment needed to provide real leadership and get real results for farmers as IFA president.”
Among the key priority issues he will be fighting his campaign on are fair prices for farmers, protection of farm incomes, cutting bureaucracy costs; bank credit issues; inspections; improving land access and mobility; succession; imports; dealing with the multiples; government policy; and farm safety and mental health issues.

Eddie Downey’s primary enterprises at Monknewtown are suckling, tillage and broiler breeding. He is married to Mary and has two children, Alice and Patrick. The IFA leadership elections take place later this year, where 85,000 members can cast their vote in 947 branches across the country.