New IFA president to seek cold snap compo package

The new president of the Irish Farmers Association said he will be seeking a compensation package for farmers affected by the cold snap.

John Bryan officially took over office today from the outgoing president Padraig Walshe at the IFA's annual general meeting.

The former garda is to hold his first meeting with Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith on Thursday.

He said he will use the opportunity to seek financial aid for farmers similar to the €2m fodder scheme put in place after the flooding crisis.

"We will be sitting down with the Department of Agriculture to discuss all those issues and see what compensation can be negotiated for the people who have had severe losses," he said.

"There are people facing very severe losses out there."