The Irish Farmers Association has announced that Dr Edel Kelly has been appointed as the group’s economist.
Dr Kelly, who is from a farming background in Galway, will take up the role on June 18th.
She is currently a Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Economics at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, working in the Agri-Business and Rural Development division of the School. She will retain academic links with the school for the 2018/19 academic year.
Tackling Brexit & CAP Budget
IFA Director General Damian McDonald said, “We are delighted to welcome Edel to the IFA. This is a crucial period for the agriculture sector, as the outcome of both Brexit and CAP reform will shape Irish and European farming for the next decade”
Dr Edel Kelly said, “I am very much looking forward to taking up the position of Economist with the IFA, particularly given the Association’s role in defending farmers against the twin challenges of Brexit and CAP reform.
“I look forward to using existing research from our Irish institutes to articulate on behalf of farmers and to reinforce agriculture’s important place within the Irish economy. I hope that my work will help to support and secure a sustainable position for Irish farmers and their families”.
Dr Kelly completed her doctoral thesis on land management practices, as part of a Walsh Fellowship, and was awarded her Doctorate from DCU Business School in 2014.
She has previously worked with Teagasc on an EU-funded research project looking at measuring sustainability at farm level and on a Safefood-funded project in UCC looking at trust in the value chain during a food crisis.
The IFA recently called on the Irish government to fight further cuts on the CAP budget, saying that farmers have already had their direct payments eroded by inflation and should not be subject to further cuts to save other sectors.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
