John Coughlan.

Cork farmer Coughlan launches IFA presidency bid

IFA presidential candidate, John Coughlan, has proposed a new contract pricing mechanism for beef farmers, a low-interest rate fund for young farmers, and ringfencing 40% of carbon tax revenues for a Green Farmer Fund. 
The Cork dairy, beef and tillage farmer made the proposals today as he launched his campaign manifesto to be the next president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). 
Coughlan said his manifesto, Securing the Future of Farming in Ireland, comes at a crucial time for farmers. Average farm incomes – at €22 a day – are 40% less than the average industrial wage, only 5% of farmers are under 35 years old, with big decisions on CAP reform, Brexit and the beef crisis imminent. 
Describing his manifesto as ‘farmer focussed’, Coughlan said as IFA president, he would aim to restore pride in farming, emphasising farm incomes, fair prices, farm families, future proofing farming, farm schemes and entitlements, and IFA reform. 
On the beef crisis, Coughlan proposes a new contract option between beef farmers and meat factories, giving greater certainty, fairer margins, independent analysis and enhanced transparency. “Fixed contracts with guaranteed prices are the norm with milk and grain. The same can apply in beef”, Coughlan said. 
On farm incomes, Coughlan said the widening gap between farmers who produce the foods that are exported to 182 countries and the multi-billion agri-industry needs to be recognised and reversed. 
He said: “Every day, farmers feed almost 6.5 million people across this island and millions more globally. The agri-food industry exports €13.5 billion annually, with dairy and beef accounting for two thirds of these exports. The income allocation is lopsided and must be rebalanced in favour of farmers.”
For farm families, Coughlan said there are day-to-day issues that need to be addressed to allow farmers to get on with their business, make a return, and plan for the future.
Among a number of actions to be taken to support, develop and protect the future of Irish farms, Coughlan proposes the development of a finance package specifically for young farmers, offered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, which provides preferential, low-interest rate funding while also reassessing and ending the definition of agricultural property as commercial property, ensuring it is defined like residential property to facilitate farm transfers between generations.
Coughlan said it was time for banks to meaningfully reengage with farmers. He cited the fact that not one Irish bank has applied to the €1 billion European Investment Bank young farmer fund. “Funds like this are there for the taking, and under my Presidency, opportunities like this will be grasped in favour of farmers”, Coughlan said. 
 
Other measures proposed by Coughlan include:
•    Green Farmer Fund: ring-fence 40% of the proceeds from the new carbon tax to create this new fund to be used for on- farm initiatives (improved animal productivity, lower emissions fertiliser use, energy saving) to support Ireland in meeting its emission reduction targets.
•    No matter what form it takes, farm incomes are damaged by Brexit. Therefore, irrespective of a deal or no deal Brexit, funding allocated in Budget 2020 must be available to farmers from 1 November, with an ongoing evaluation for need and impact.
•    Establishing a formal work exchange visa between Ireland and New Zealand which would allow labour to migrate between both countries during the alternating peak seasons.
•    IFA reform to better unify members to include enhanced communications among the membership and improved feedback and processes monitoring.
•    Restoring pride in farming through a renewed focus on ending the urban rural divide and a greater emphasis on teaching school children about Irish food and farming through a primary-level module.

On the Beef Market taskforce, Coughlan is clear that it needs to resume as a matter of urgency, and this can be achieved by ensuring that the spirit of the strand one benefits outlined in the 15 September agreement are honoured and with clarification on the status of legal injunctions.

Calling on farmers to support his candidacy, Coughlan concluded: "The time for change is now. We need to protect, develop and better nurture this crucial sector in Ireland. Farming is central to our country, to our economy, to our culture and to rural communities and families. It faces real challenges and we need to work together, as a united community, and with Government, to ensure the necessary supports are in place to secure our future."