McCormack nominated for a second 3-year term as ICMSA president

The current president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) has been nominated to serve a second three-year term in the role.

McCormack is from Co. Tipperary. He was elected dairy chairperson in December 2009 and was elected deputy president in December 2011. He was elected president in December 2016, where he succeeded John Comer in the role.

The deputy president, Lorcan McCabe, will stand again for a second three-year term and is being challenged by Des Morrison, chairperson of the Livestock Committee.

Kieran O’Brien of Co. Meath is standing unopposed to represent Region A on the Executive Committee, while D.J. Keohane, a sitting Executive Committee member representing Region C, will be challenged by fellow Co. Cork farmer, Brendan Hinchion.

Des Morrison is standing again as chairperson of the Livestock Committee, as is Denis Drennan for chairperson of the Farm and Rural Affairs Committee; along with Shane O’Loughlin for chairperson of the Farm Business Committee.

Voting will be by post with independent observers present for the opening and counting of the votes.

Dairy industry: Immediate response needed to counter Brexit threat in January

In other news, an immediate response will need to be taken by the Irish government to counter the looming threat to the Irish dairy sector caused by Brexit, according to Dairy Industry Ireland.

In a statement to be given to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this evening (Tuesday, December 8), Dairy Industry Ireland is calling for a series of measures to be taken to protect the sector from the worst impacts of Brexit.

Director of Dairy Industry Ireland Conor Mulvihill said: “As of today, dairy and specialised nutrition businesses still do not have clear information on the trading conditions which will apply for goods between Ireland and Britain and for services between Ireland and the UK as of January 1, 2021.