IFA national sheep committee elects Mayo farmer as chairman

Mayo farmer John Lynskey has been elected chairman of the IFA national sheep committee, replacing James Murphy from Kilkenny who was has held the position for the last four years.

Mr Lynskey farms 45ha on the Mayo/Galway boarder. His main enterprise is sheep farming with a flock of 170 Suffolk/texel/Belclare cross ewes, suckler cows, and tillage, and an agricultural contracting business.

Mr Lynskey said his main priorities will include improving farm incomes through strong lamb prices; strong direct payments for sheep farmers through various schemes; a new targeted payment for sheep in the CAP Reform; tackling income and destocking problems in the hill and commonage areas; and reducing bureaucracy and stress on farmers through a new charter.