Great 60 years for IFA, but it’s as challenging as ever

The best-organised and most influential farmers in Europe — that’s the Irish, and it’s all thanks to the IFA, was the very interesting assessment of EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, last week, writes Stephen Cadogan.

Speaking at the event to mark IFA’s 60th anniversary, perhaps the Commissioner overdid the flattery.

After all, IFA President Eddie Downey, addressing the same event, said Irish farm families again find themselves under immense pressure, with an inadequate return for their hard work and investment.