About the ICMSA, ICMSA Structure and History

The ICMSA represents the views of farmers at Local, National and European Union levels.
We place particular importance on defending the rights and incomes of farm families and strive to encourage the establishment of the maximum number of family farm holdings in the country.
The Association draws up its own policy documents on agriculture accordingly and lobbies to influence EU and State policy in the sector. We ensure that the media are kept fully informed of the problems within our sector and we place particular emphasis on putting forward viable and costed solutions to those problems on the grounds that we no longer think it feasible or desirable to merely protest without coming forward with answers. ICMSA is already distinguishing itself as the farm organisation that concentrates as much on the solutions as it does on publicising the problems.
The ICMSA organises regular seminars and meetings throughout the country to inform farmers on the latest developments in agriculture and advises them on how they can plan their futures to the maximum benefit of themselves, their families and the wider rural communities in which they live.
We offer expert advice on matters ranging from taxation, succession and inheritance issues all the way over the agri-business and sectoral questions and that service is provided on a one-to-one basis or via groups. ICMSA is also dedicated to investigating those new areas of concern to farmers and the wider rural communities and, in that context, the association has established thriving and well-resourced Rural Development and Farm Services committees that examine intensively how the changes occurring almost daily in these two areas can be harnessed to provide additional income streams to farmers and their families.
ICMSA has always operated on the basis that the interests of its farmer members is best served by the associations participation in the widest possible spectrum of allied and related organisations. We are more than willing to help and overlap our work with others where it is mutually beneficial and where, above all, it manifestly is of benefit to the farming families of Ireland. ICMSA has played a prominent role within the following movements and we proudly take this opportunity to re-dedicate the association to our shared aims and efforts.
* The Co-operative Movement
* The Leader Programme
* The County Enterprise Boards
* The County Development Boards and strategic Policy Committee
The ICMSA also leads development through its own initiatives. We have an active consultation and discussion process with various Government departments with which we maintain constant contact.

History of the ICMSA
In March 1950 the dairy farmers of Ireland were infuriated when the Agricultural Minister of the time, James Dillon, announced his decision to cut the price of a gallon of milk by 2 pennies back to just one shilling. It proved to be the last straw for farmers who were finding it increasingly difficult to earn a viable living from the land.
Farmer groups throughout the country felt the time was ripe to combine their strength and form a Union to represent the interests of milk producers from all over Ireland.
A fortnight after Minister Dillon's controversial statement came the formation of the Cavan Milk Suppliers Association. The Association invited all co-operative societies and dairy groups to a meeting in Nenagh on May 24 1950 where it was decided to form a new National Farmers Organisation.
Less than two months later the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association staged the inaugural meeting of its new National Council at Cruise’s Hotel, Limerick.
With the support of over 100,000 dairy farmers from all over the country, the ICMSA quickly became a powerful lobbying force. The Association ensured that the plight of farmers was addressed in the main centres of power. In the years following its foundation, achievements of the ICMSA included several substantial milk price gains for farmers.
The ICMSA's role expanded as its membership grew. The Association became renowned for its staunch defence of all farm families, so much so that over the years it became known as the Family Farm Organisation.
The ICMSA has long since grown out of its initial role as merely a representative body exclusively for dairy farmers. The organisation now has membership drawn from a wide variety of livestock farming sectors and continues to lobby for better living standards in all rural communities.

Structure of the ICMSA
The Association has a membership of 20,000 farmers and is a democratic, non-denominational and non-political body.
Our members are active at national, regional, county and local branch level, putting in every effort to maintain the maximum number of farm families in the agricultural sector.
Our structure enables farmers to voice their opinion at branch level which leads to their view being echoed by their representatives at county, regional and national levels. This ensures that the aims and aspirations of the grassroots membership can be reflected in the policies adopted by the Association.
The following chart demonstrates the democratic structure of the organisation and the fact that it derives its strength and drive from its ‘grass-roots level upwards’ policy formulation.
Administrative Committee
The day to day affairs of the ICMSA are managed by the Administrative Committee, which is chaired by the President of the Association. The Committee meets approximately once a month.
National Council
The ninety-nine member National Council is the principal body of the Association.
The Council issues recommendations to be formulated into official ICMSA policy.
It meets approximately eight times a year and among its primary roles is the election of the President and Deputy President of the Association and also the Administrative Committee.
Every county in the Republic of Ireland has representatives on the Council. Much of the work of the ICMSA at local level is carried out by our network of County and Area committees located throughout the country. Members hold meetings and organise seminars on agricultural matters in their local areas on a regular basis. Members of County Committees elect their own representatives onto the ICMSA National Council. In this fashion, problems encountered by farmers in a particular locality can quickly be brought onto the national stage and action directed at finding a solution