‘Ann epitomises quality of farm women’

DAIRY farmer Ann Moore, of Ballyspillane, Co Cork, has won the highly regarded COPA European Innovation Prize for Women Farmers.

A member of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Ms Moore was awarded the prize for her energy and commitment to the family farm after her husband fell ill with multiple sclerosis.

The Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations (COPA) is the European farmers’ union, to which the IFA is the Irish affiliate.

In 1998, Ann and her husband David were milking 28 cows and building up the dairy herd when David became ill with multiple sclerosis.

The farm business could have ground to a standstill, but Ann persevered and today she milks just under 200 cows on 300 adjusted acres.

Understandably thrilled with her victory, she said: “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to have been presented with this award from Commissioner Ciolos and feel it is a great recognition for all hard-working women who have contributed to agriculture through the ages.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Brussels — presented by EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos — president of the IFA John Bryan congratulated Ms Moore on her achievement.

He said: “Ann is a great ambassador for Irish women’s substantial contribution to farming and farm business.

“I am thrilled that the IFA farm family committee, chaired by Margaret Healy, was able to facilitate Ann’s entrance into COPA’s Innovation Prize for Women Farmers competition, building on Ireland’s national event run by the Irish Farmers’ Journal and kindly sponsored by FBD insurance.”

Máiréad Lavery, editor of Irish Country Living magazine, said: “ As a representative of Irish farm women, Ann epitomises the qualities of innovation, resilience and hard work that is characteristic of Irish farm women.

“The Irish Farmers’ Journal is very proud to have instigated the Irish selection process in conjunction with the Irish Farmers’ Association and support from FBD.”

Conor Gouldson of FBD said: “We are delighted in FBD for Ann and for her family for this recognition by COPA of her on-farm innovation. It is an extraordinary achievement and testament to the very high standards present in Irish agricultural practice today.”