Macra Na Feirme Elects Today, a new President

By SEAN Mac CONNELL

THE NEW president of Macra na Feirme, the organisation for young rural people, will be elected later today following the national ballot, which closes at 1pm.The new president will replace Katherine Buckley from Cork, the first woman to hold the position.

The frontrunner in the race is Laois farmer Michael Gowing (30), a former FBD Young Farmer of the Year who currently holds the position of national chairman of the organisation.

His challengers include Waterford farmer Flor O'Gorman and Tom Quirke from Tuam, Co Galway, who has maintained a high profile during the contest.

The counting will begin at 1pm when the ballot closes, in the Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin. Macra expects to have all the counting and the 32nd national president and three vice-presidents announced by 3pm.

Macra na Feirme provides a social and educational outlet for young rural people. While the majority of its members are farmers, it also caters for non- farming members.

The organisation is one of the social partners and lobbies not only on farming matters but on rural issues in general. It ran a very successful campaign some years ago on the high cost of car insurance for young rural people.

Originally published by SEAN Mac CONNELL Agriculture Correspondent.

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