Politics code of practice needed for IFA leadership candidates

FOR a strictly “non-political” organisation, IFA has groomed more than its fair share of leaders for an after-life in the world of party politics.

It is not surprising that people who establish high profiles, and accumulate a lot of experience in leadership, representation and negotiation, are targeted by political parties to stand for them in elections.

What has surprised is that so many of these people, having jumped successfully into politics, disappointed their farmer supporters, who had respected them as farming leaders and followed through with national election votes.