Macra presidential race nears close
Raymond Brady, Cloncovid, Co Cavan and Colm Markey, Togher, Co Louth, are the candidates seeking election.
Ballot papers have already been issued to the 250 clubs in Macra which has 8,000 members countrywide. The papers must be returned by 1pm on Tuesday, when they will be sorted and counted at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin. The result will be announced later that day.
Dairy farmer Raymond Brady, currently north-west vice president, said his vision of Macra is to spearhead the interests of a young vibrant society.
The new single farm payment has emerged as a major issue. Young farmers, who started in the industry during and since the reference years, feel because of their age and circumstances, that they are being disenfranchised and that the national reserve is not really catering for their needs.
The provision of extra measures to encourage the earlier transfer of farms is one of the campaign issues of Colm Markey, a dairy beef and tillage farmer, and the current Leinster vice president.
The successful candidate will serve a two-year term as president of Macra.
Also announced on Tuesday will be the result of the Leinster vice-presidential race between Donal Glennon, Meath and James Doyle, Carlow.
Geraldine Beattie Greene in the north-west and Frank O’Mahony in Munster have already been deemed elected regional vice presidents as they were unopposed.
