The Beef Plan Movement has appointed Nadaline Webster to the position of general manager, which is a new role for the organisation.
A native of Moneygall in Co Tipperary, Webster comes from a strong farming background and has a strong professional competency in the development of business start-ups.
Webster will be working on a part-time basis. Her mandate will be to further develop the role and significance of Beef Plan within Irish agriculture, focussing on three initial priorities.
These are: driving greater levels of efficiency within the organisation’s beef producer and procurement groups; securing government recognition for Beef Plan as an officially recognised stakeholder group; and communicating a ‘more accurate’ picture of the Irish beef industry to the public at large.
Webster told Agriland:“The need to secure a viable beef industry for the future has never been greater. Too many farmers are leaving the sector at the present time. And they are not being replaced.
Webster said the last government laid down a number of criteria that the group was asked to meet in order to secure official stakeholder status, which it “responded to in kind”.
“All of this was driven by the previous farm minister: Charlie McConalogue,” she said.
“We recognise that a new government is now in place. So, it’s important for us to find out if the criteria previously agreed remain in play, where the new farm minister is concerned.”
The beef farmers’ group currently has 2,300 members.
Webster stated: “Beef Plan will play a key role in communicating the needs of beef farmers across the country. In order to make this happen, the organisation must secure official stakeholder accreditation.
“Beef Plan can look forward to a strong future and I look forward to being part of it.
Commenting on the appointment of a general manager, Beef Plan chairperson, Eamon Corley said:
“We are pleased to welcome the appointment of Nadaline, whose skills we intend using to better the plight of Ireland’s beef farmers and to assist them in their quest to be treated fairly by all the stakeholders in our beef industry.”
“The Beef Plan Movement was established to provide complete representation for beef farmers in Ireland.
“We provide three main services to members: a reduction in the cost of their inputs; genuine representation for all aspects of beef farming and providing the highest prices possible through the Emerald Isle Beef Producer Organisation,” Corley added.
