Gilmartin elected to succeed Thompson as president of the ICSA
He won by a margin of just six votes over the only other candidate, Martin Coughlan, a beef farmer from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford.
The keenly contested election took place at a meeting of the ICSA national executive in Portlaoise.
Mr Gilmartin succeeds Malcolm Thompson, Convoy, Co Donegal, as president, and will take up duty at the ICSA annual general meeting on December 3.
A sheep and suckler farmer from Ballintrillick, he is currently the ICSA rural development chairman, as well as serving on the management committee. He was previously vice-chairman of the sheep committee.
Mr Gilmartin said he was honoured to have been elected president.
He promised he would fight for a fair deal for farmers in the context of the difficult budgetary situation. “I will not accept the level of cuts imposed already on the farming community. The Rural Environment Protection Scheme is too important to let go.
“We need to actively mind the environment while keeping REPS-related jobs in rural Ireland,” he said.
Mr Gilmartin said farming has suffered more than any other sector from Government cutbacks while other sectors believe that no cuts are acceptable for them.
“I will also be prioritising the best deal possible for Irish farmers in the coming CAP negotiations for the post-2013 period,” he said.
Mr Gilmartin also emphasised the importance of young farmers being supported. “Installation aid and a prioritisation of new supports for young farmers will be a key part of my agenda,” he said.
The ICSA, which has been representing the interests of drystock farmers for the last 15 years, says its main areas of concern are for the advancement and development of beef, sheep and suckler farmers.
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