Laois leader of Ireland's farmers insists Mercosur fight isn't over

Mercosur, the budget for the next CAP and the cost of doing business were the three priorities highlighted by IFA President in his speech at the Association's AGM.

Against the backdrop of a meeting that was overshadowed by the EU deal with South American countries, Francie Gorman reflected first on the past year for farmers in Laois and the rest of Ireland.

“2025 worked well for most sectors, with the obvious exception of those in tillage. This sector was a priority for us last year and it will be again this year.

“Despite a good year in 2025, most sectors are under pressure on prices in recent weeks. Recent cuts in the milk price have been savage,” said the Laois man in the speech provided to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

He told the meeting on January 13 that there is pressure on beef, sheep, pigs and potatoes, which is a big concern for 2026.

“Processors and retailers have to share the pain and support their suppliers during these challenges,” he insisted.

The Ballinakill farmer put the gathering on notice of “huge challenges” which come against the backdrop of “dramatic developments” in having world-class standards recognised in public policy.

“That applies to trade deals. It applies to how the next CAP is structured, and it applies to how regulation is framed,” he said.

The controversial EU-South America Free Trade was a focus of Mr Gorman's speech.

He highlighted the exposure of what he claimed was “the appalling lack of standards” in Brazilian beef production by the IFA and the Farmers Journal. He said the recent recall of Brazilian beef in Ireland has not been credibly explained, but the serious breach reflects safety issues.

“Brazilian beef represents a threat to public health, and it cannot be downplayed by referring to more audits and controls. Either the Commission knows what is going on or it doesn’t.

Irish Farmers Association President and Laois man Francie Gorman delivers his annual presidential address to the 71st Annual General meeting at the Farm Centre in Dublin. Pic: Finbarr O'Rourke

“In reality, Brazil has no interest in meeting our standards and they told us this when we carried out our investigation there a few months ago.

“But if we know that, why doesn’t the Commission? The Mercosur deal is bad for farming; it is bad for public health; it is bad for rural Ireland; but it is also bad for the EU Commission," he said.

He called on the Irish Government to do more to stop the deal.

“That work must continue before the European Parliament votes on the deal. We have sent a very clear message that people remain utterly opposed to this deal,” he said.

He said fairness is needed.

“Expecting Irish and European farmers to have trust in the EU while turning a blind eye to substandard imports is unfair. What we want to see is a re-set of the relationship between the European institutions and farmers on the ground.

“We are anti-Mercosur, but we are not anti the EU. We want the EU market to be a level playing field. When we joined in 1973, it was the Common Market. A market with common standards for all countries. We should not undermine that market with sub-standard product,” he said.

Mercosur aside, Mr Gorman said the dominant issue for 2026 will be the shape of the next CAP with the the first issue to be resolved is the size of the budget as part of the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework.

“Despite the shuffling of funding last week by the Commission, they plan to cut the farming budget and cut it severely. Whatever way they try to present it, there is no getting away from that,” he said.

Mr Gorman said there will be no food security if certainty is stripped from farm families.

“We need to encourage the next generation into farming. We can only do that if they have a standard of living comparable to their peers in other sectors. Cutting CAP is a kick in the teeth for European farmers and their families,” he said.

He said the EU budget for farming must be resolved before discussions can happen, and this must be a priority during the Irish Presidency of the EU.

READ ALSO: Farm scheme payments to Laois reach nearly €40 m

“As net contributors to the EU budget, our government has to insist that a higher portion of the budget goes to the CAP. And I want to make one thing clear: CAP funding should be directed at those farmers who are farming the land sustainably and producing food; tending to livestock; and harvesting the crops. Irrespective of what age they are, or where they are from,” he said.

He put the spotlight on the "cost incurred, income foregone" issue.

“It is a ridiculous restriction, and it must be confined to the dust bin,” he said.

He said suggestions that CAP funding incentivises farmers to take part in the Nature Restoration Law are a “complete non-runner”.

He doubled down on this point.

“Any attempt by the Government to impose the Nature Restoration Law will be opposed tooth and nail,” he said.

The third pillar of his speech was costs.

“It is an issue that has to be tackled. Our Government can point to some costs and make the reasonable point that some are outside their control.

“But there is plenty of Government policy that is adding to our costs,” he said.

Mr Gorman highlighted two burdens.

“Carbon tax, along with excise, is having a big impact on the price of fuel. Farmers have no alternative. As one of the key inputs for farmers, it has to be addressed,” he said.

Mr Gorman said the valuation for farmers impacted by TB will also be raised with the Government.

“The ceilings are hopelessly out of date and if farmers are to have confidence in what is being done to tackle the issue, then these ceilings should be removed. Market valuation should mean market valuation,” he insisted.

The President thanked outgoing officers and welcomed newly elected officers. He also said the association must foster leadership.

“A big challenge for our Association is to find the leaders of the future. Social media plays a huge role in how we get the message out today. But it’s the face-to-face interaction at county and national level that really makes the difference.

“Highlighting problems is easy. Getting them solved is the hard part. Our Ready to Lead Programme sponsored by FBD was a great success last year and we have a strong interest in the programme again this year. Meeting these young leaders was a highlight of the year for me, as was our national Health Check programme,” he said.

He concluded by returning to Mercosur and the commentary on the deal.

“We have represented farmers for over seven decades, and we have a duty to put forward their issues and concerns. We make no apology for doing it well. The people in this room are a lobby army.

“We have a democratic structure in every county, and each farming sector is represented in our Association. That is what we are elected to do.

“In any functioning democracy, there has to be a place for citizens to make their views known. We make no apologies for what we do or how we do it,” he said.

He said the Nitrates derogation and holding our government to account on Mercosur was down to the hard work of the IFA, which is proud to represent farmers. 

He said the Association will continue to hold politicians to account. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

IFA President, flanked by IFA Director General Damian McDonald, addresses the 71st IFA AGM at the Farm Centre in Dublin. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke
“Candidates and parties are elected based on the polices they set out. A Government is formed on the basis of a Programme for Government. We did our homework.

“We lobbied before the election; we lobbied after the election. We lobbied every day since.

“We lobbied at home, and we lobbied in Brussels, where we have a full-time office we can also be proud of. The fight on Mercosur and other issues goes on. We will hold all our MEPs and their parties to their pre-election commitments.

“The fight goes on,” he said.