Vincent Roddy will succeed Colm O’Donnell as president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) at the organisation’s AGM on September 27.
Speaking on the choice of his replacement, O’Donnell outlined that Roddy was the unanimous choice in a nomination process conducted over the last number of weeks with county and branch officers that closed on Friday (August 27).
O’Donnell wished Roddy “every success” in the role, and pointed to the experience Roddy has on policy and organisational structure.
The outgoing president stated that Roddy “will be invaluable in the coming two years as we finalise a CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] deal and address the challenges posed by the EU Biodiversity Strategy, while continuing to grow the organisation“.
O’Donnell commented that the incoming president “played an important role both on policy and in recent times as director of organisation, where he oversaw the establishment of our county and branch structure in a role that demanded hard work with little public recognition”.
“As president he will now get the opportunity to lead from the front in what promises to be an exciting time for the INHFA,” he added.
O’Donnell expressed thanks to all INHFA members, especially those that have held an officer position, for their “work and dedication” during his four years as president.
Focusing on the broad role of the INHFA, the current president said the organisation was established “to provide vital representation for suckler and sheep farmers operating on high nature value farmlands and on our hills”.
“The fruits of these efforts will be evident in the new CAP programme and through our ongoing work in other forums that delivers improved market returns for our sheep and suckler beef sectors.”
Concluding, O’Donnell outlined “how honoured he was to be the first president of the INHFA” and that he “looks forward to working with the incoming president and his team in the coming two years”.