Farmers divided over Walsh ‘negativity’ remark

A CLAIM by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh that there is too much negativity among farm leaders has been supported by one Cork farm leader and strongly rejected by four others.

West Cork Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) chairman Dermot Kelleher said Minister Walsh is right to seek a more positive outlook. But the respective IFA chairmen for West Cork, Cork Central and North Cork, along with Munster vice- president Donal Kelly, Beara, called on the Minister to withdraw his “cheap jibe”.

Mr Walsh, speaking with reporters in Kilkenny last weekend, sharply criticised the “continuous drone” of complaints by some farm leaders.

Dermot Kelleher, West Cork ICSA, said Mr Walsh was right to call for a more positive outlook but he must play his part in supporting the farmers of the future.

However, the IFA leadership in Cork at an emergency meeting came out strongly against Mr Walsh's “unprovoked and unjustified” remarks.

Donal Kelly chaired the meeting which was attended by chairmen Bernard O'Donovan (West Cork), Gerard O'Connell (Cork Central) and Sean O'Leary (North Cork).

Mr Kelly said he had written a letter of complaint to the Taoiseach pointing out the damage Mr Walsh’s attack had done to relations with the IFA and farmers in Co Cork.