AIB, Fermoy were the main organisers of last Monday night’s farming seminar in Corrin Event Centre. While the selling of livestock is the centre’s core activity, it can easily cater for a variety of functions.
Billed as ‘Irish Agriculture At A Crossroads’, it brought together a very impressive line up of speakers that included: Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Michael Creed; IFA national president, Joe Healy; Dairygold CEO, Jim Woulfe and AIB agri advisor, Tadhg Buckley – the seminar was chaired by Eoin Lowry, business editor Irish Farmers Journal.
It took a while for the crowd to assemble but when they did, it didn’t take long for the event centre’s main livestock arena to fill to capacity. Given the tiered seating system and excellent sound system, everyone could easily view and here what was being said.
Minister Creed spoke about the challenges that lay ahead for Irish farming mainly stemming from Britain’s decision to leave the european union.
The minister went on to say that Britain would remain an important trading partner and he assured those present that his department were working extremely hard to mitigate against the most severe impacts of Brexit.
IFA president, Joe Healy, said it was inevitable that Brexit would impact on Ireland, however, he went on to say that Irish farmers were well placed to cope with the varied and complex scenarios that would unfold in the weeks and months ahead.
Mr Healy added Ireland’s commitment to best practice in all areas of food production would ensure it held its own in the global market place. This theme was expanded on by Jim Woulfe who said demand for Irish products, especially dairy, would grow into the future – the measures Ireland had taken to create sustainable farming was another huge plus for the country he said.
The event was an unqualified success for AIB, Fermoy whose staff were out in force for the seminar. In his contribution AIB agri advisor, Tadhg Buckley, said that AIB was standing four square behind farmers and wouldn’t be found wanting when it came to facilating farm upgrades, farm expansion and further modernisation.
Eoin Lowry, who proved an able chairman, also oversaw a lively question and answer session.
