Published: Thursday, 31st December, 2009 3:00pm

Cavan ICMSA concern at split

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Concerns have been expressed in Cavan ICMSA about the possibility of a split in the organisation following the recent presidential election.

Anthony Callery, the county chairman and a national representative, pointed to a split in the ICMSA and the impact that will have on dairy farmers in this region.

At the recent AGM in Limerick, Jackie Cahill received the support 54 National Council members out of a total of 99 and was elected president for a further two years, and all nine of the national vacancies were filled by supporters of Mr. Cahill from Kerry Tipperary, Limerick and Kilkenny.

According to Mr. Callery, this development shows that the ICMSA is no longer a national organisation but a small parochial Munster based one, with the exception of Cork.

He said such an organisation would not be able to represent farmers in this region at a time when both dairy quotas and the Single Farm Payment are up for discussion at national and European levels and major changes are expected.

A meeting is planned for the new year to consider the future of the ICMSA in Cavan and the surrounding regions, and how best farmers' interests would be served at this crucial time, at both national and European levels.