Leaders of the main political parties will address “issues that matter to farm families” at a national meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) tomorrow (Tuesday, November 12) as part of the general election campaign.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will address members at 11:00a.m, followed by Fine Gael leader Simon Harris at 12:30p.m. The leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald will address the National Council at 4:00p.m.

IFA president Francie Gorman said it will be a “valuable interaction” between the main party leaders and members of the IFA national council.

Gorman said that IFA officers around the country will travel over the next three weeks to engage with political parties and candidates on what the association is considering its “key asks”.

“We have prepared a detailed submission to the political parties and candidates, setting out the issues that matter to farm families.

“Tomorrow’s meeting will allow us to discuss these in detail with the main party leaders and question them on what they will do if they are part of the next government,” Gorman said.

The asks have been summarised into the acronym CENTRAL, representing the areas they want the next government to focus on.

The acronym includes: Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); Environment scheme (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)); Nitrate Derogation; Trade deals; Regulation; Additional funding for vulnerable sectors; and Land tax.

The IFA has proposed that any regulatory changes imposed on farmers either through national or European policy changes must have a prior income impact assessment completed.

They have also asked that a a minimum of €300/cow to provide economic viability and long-term sustainability of the sector through generational renewal.

The IFA stated that this would maintain its positive contribution to the climate target ambitions and drive of the socio-economic, environmental and biodiversity sustainability of rural Ireland.