Farming group to celebrate their ten-year anniversary

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) are celebrating their ten-year anniversary with a celebratory event in Sligo next week.

The INHFA was founded on January 25, 2015 in the Sligo Park Hotel when hill farmers throughout Ireland voiced their frustration that their voice was not being represented by the larger farming organisations.

To mark this occasion, they are holding a celebratory event in the Sligo Park Hotel on this Saturday night, January 25 to coincide with the exact date and venue that saw the establishment of the farming organisation.

The night which includes a wine reception, dinner and panel discussions will see members travelling from around the country to mark the occasion.

Speaking on this National President Vincent Roddy detailed how the association has played a critical role in shaping Irish agriculture over the last ten years citing an 'ambitious redistribution of CAP funding and the development of a light lamb market for hill lambs' as just two examples of their contributions.

In looking ahead Roddy pointed to the possible impact of the Nature Restoration Law and the new CAP Programme post 2027 as key elements the association will be focusing on.

“These will define farming and land use for the coming decades so the stakes are very high and the role of the INHFA will be critical through this in representing hill farmers and lowland farmers operating on high nature value farmland,” he said.

In concluding Mr Roddy stated how it has been an honour to lead the association for the last three years.

“While my time as President will conclude at next June's National AGM I am very confident that the next ten years will bring even more success.”