Who are the key players in the Irish farming lobby?

Irish farmers have secured recent wins with government support, including the renewal of a key EU derogation and backing in opposition to the Mercosur trade agreement. The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is currently engaged in a dispute with the government and Bord Bia over the agency’s chair.

Nitrates Derogation and Trade Agreements

Last December, Ireland obtained a renewal of its nitrates derogation from the European Union, a crucial measure allowing approximately 7,000 Irish farmers to maintain higher livestock densities per acre than permitted under the EU Nitrates Directive. The renewal came after lobbying from Irish politicians and farming organizations, albeit with added conditions. Last month, the government supported farmers in opposing the Mercosur trade agreement during an EU vote, potentially delaying its adoption and leading to additional protections for farmer interests.

Dispute with Bord Bia

In recent weeks, farmers, particularly the IFA, have been protesting at Bord Bia’s Dublin office over the position of its chair, Larry Murrin. Farming organizations have called for Mr. Murrin to step down after it was revealed his company, Dawn Farms, imports Brazilian beef, which farmers say creates a conflict of interest given Bord Bia’s role in promoting Irish food. The protest began on January 26th and is ongoing.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA)

The IFA is the largest and most powerful representative group for farmers in Ireland, with around 72,000 members. The organization has significant financial and manpower resources. In 2025, the IFA reported an income of €17.6 million, with €7.7 million coming from member contributions, and expenditures of €16.8 million, including €6.2 million in staff costs.

Francie Gorman, IFA President, earned approximately €88,000 from the organization in 2025, with his total earnings reduced by directors’ fees from outside bodies. Damian McDonald, Director General, received over €260,000, including €34,000 in pension contributions. The IFA states the Director General’s salary is comparable to that of the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The IFA also maintains a full-time office in Brussels, dedicated to engagement with EU institutions, with a budget of €680,000 in 2025, an increase of €100,000 from the previous year. The Brussels operation is headed by Liam McHale, Director of European Affairs.

At the end of last year, the IFA held over €14 million in a “Special Reserve Fund,” established in 1985 for exceptional circumstances. The IFA utilizes this fund and its grassroots support to advocate for its members, as demonstrated by member outreach to TDs regarding the Mercosur trade agreement.

Other Farming Organizations

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) represents around 18,000 dairy farmers, primarily in Munster, south Leinster, Cavan, and Monaghan. The ICMSA employs 15 staff with a combined annual salary of €725,000, and President Denis Drennan is reportedly paid around €50,000 annually.

The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has roughly 10,000 members and has a track record of securing payments and subsidies for cattle and sheep farmers. Sean McNamara is the current president.

Macra, representing younger farmers, has a membership of around 15,000, with approximately a third being active farmers. The group receives funding from various sources, including government departments and private companies. Josephine O’Neill is the current president.

EU-Level Lobbying

Irish farmers are also represented at the EU level through COPA-COGECA, an umbrella group representing over 22 million farmers across Europe. Groups like the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and the IFA facilitate meetings between Irish agricultural groups and EU officials and play a role in providing feedback on proposed EU policies.