Farm women call on Government to act

THE Government was urged yesterday to promote the interests of women in farming. IFA National Farm Family Committee chairwoman Mary McGreal made the call when she addressed the first national IFA conference on women in agriculture at Croke Park, Dublin.

Ms McGreal said the event marked the end of the “talking phase” for women in agriculture.

She said they should be taken seriously regarding policy making and a unit needed to be set up in the Department of Agriculture to give serious priority to farm womens’ agenda.

“This new Department of Agriculture unit should lead the development and implementation of viable strategies and policies in full co-operation with every other relevant department and agency,” she said.

The conference heard concerns about the lack of representation of women in agricultural politics and the low numbers of women who own land in their own right.

It also highlighted the invisibility of women in agricultural statistics and the agricultural media.

Other major issues addressed by the conference included the lack of social insurance cover for farm spouses and the need for greater recognition of women as farmers in their own right, and as equal partners on the farm.

Conference director, IFA Equality Officer Mary Carroll, said the conference was a focal point for action.

“We chose ‘Fast Forward’ as a theme because the button has been on pause long enough.

“We have had the reports, we have had the consultations. It is time for the Department of Agriculture to press the play button.

“It is time to move women in agriculture from the middle of the 20th century into the 21st century,” she said.