Patrick Kent has been re-elected as the president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA).

Having held the role for the last four years, the Co. Wexford man will now lead the organisation for a third term of two years.

He beat off competition from the association’s current rural development chairman, Seamus Sherlock – who hails from Co. Limerick.

The announcement was made after the election campaign came to a conclusion in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, tonight (Thursday, December 14).

Both candidates went head-to-head in a vote of 101 delegates from across the country; the results of which decided the winner. In a very close contest which went right down to the wire, Kent received 52 votes to Sherlock’s 49 – a winning margin of just 3 votes.

Proceedings on the night got underway shortly after 9:00pm. Each candidate made a presentation to the national executive which was followed by a questions and answers session with the candidates.

Following this the delegates cast their votes.

Speaking to AgriLand recently, Kent said: “We can do a lot more in the next two years and I want to lead it. We have a lot of issues coming down the tracks: Mercosur; climate change; CAP reform; and our suckler farmers are under pressure – all these issues are going to affect farmers and fellas need to get recognition.

Dairy farming is booming at present and other sectors need to be brought up to that level and supported.

“I’m absolutely energised. I believe we have doors open and we need to keep on the track we are on; but we must push harder and achieve even more. We have been making great strides and we want to keep the momentum up.”

Election for senior IFA position

Meanwhile, the election race for a senior position within the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is still ongoing.

Nigel Renaghan from Co. Monaghan and James Speares from Co. Cavan are contesting the race to become the association’s regional chairman for Ulster / North Leinster.

The final husting event is scheduled to take place in Co. Louth tonight. Similar events have taken place over the last few weeks in counties Donegal, Meath, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan and Monaghan.

Also Read: Election results for senior IFA position to be announced on Friday

A count of the votes cast at each of these county meetings is set to take place tomorrow (Friday, December 15), after which one of the candidates will be selected to replace Bert Stewart as the IFA’s regional chairman for Ulster / North Leinster.