Irish farmers, with the support of the Government, have achieved a series of important victories in recent months, strengthening their position both domestically and at the European level.
Last December, Ireland secured a renewal of its nitrates derogation from the European Union, a measure that allows roughly 7,000 farmers to maintain higher livestock densities than normally permitted under EU rules. The decision came after intensive lobbying from Irish politicians and farming organisations, despite early uncertainty around the renewal.
In January, the Government also backed farmers in opposing the Mercosur trade agreement during an EU vote. While the deal could still be ratified by the 27 member states, the Government’s stance may delay adoption and include additional safeguards for Irish farmers.
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has been central to recent advocacy efforts, highlighting its influence across the country. With around 72,000 members, the IFA combines broad grassroots support with considerable financial resources. Last year, the organisation recorded an income of €17.6 million, including €7.7 million from member contributions, and maintained a “Special Reserve Fund” of over €14 million for exceptional circumstances.
IFA President Francie Gorman, earning €140,000 annually, and Director General Damian McDonald, the organisation’s highest-paid official at over €260,000, have been highly visible in the ongoing dispute with Bord Bia. The protest, now approaching a month-long occupation of the agency’s Dublin offices, demands the resignation of Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin, after it emerged his company Dawn Farms imported Brazilian beef, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
The IFA also operates a dedicated Brussels office, which spent €680,000 in 2025 to engage with EU institutions, politicians, and officials, reflecting the organisation’s strategic approach to influencing European agricultural policy.
Other influential groups include the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), which represents around 18,000 dairy farmers, mainly in Munster and south Leinster. The ICMSA employs 15 staff, with a combined annual salary bill of €725,000, and its President Denis Drennan earns roughly €50,000 a year. While smaller than the IFA, the ICMSA retains significant influence in key agri-sector discussions.
The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) represents about 10,000 members and is known for securing targeted payments and subsidies, while Macra, the young-farmers’ organisation, has 10,000 members spread across 170 clubs and advocates for the next generation of farmers, highlighting barriers to entry and development.
At the European level, Irish farmer groups often work through COPA-COGECA, the umbrella organisation representing more than 22 million farmers across the EU, ensuring that Irish agricultural interests are considered in policy decisions. Ireland’s dedicated presence in Brussels allows groups like the IFA and ICOS to feed back EU proposals to members and relay responses to policymakers, strengthening their influence despite Ireland’s small share of the EU population.
Irish farmers have demonstrated that a combination of grassroots mobilisation, financial resources, and strategic lobbying can secure policy wins at home and abroad, keeping the sector’s interests firmly in focus.
