Senator Boyhan appointed to new Oireachtas Ag committee
Independent senator, Victor Boyhan, today (Thursday, May 8) confirmed that he has been appointed to the influential Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food.
Senator Boyhan, who also served on the previous Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, believes there are a number of immediate challenges on the horizon for Irish agriculture as well as opportunities.
One of these which is fundamental to the future of Irish agriculture is the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Senator Boyhan told Agriland that as he "comes from a family steeped in agriculture" he understands "the ambition farmers have for their families and their rural communities".
" My father was a cattle dealer who was forced to leave home early, he instilled in me the strong connection to homestead, place and roots - his generation that never got opportunity to return from where they came.
"His countless stories and indeed many regrets are a constant reminder to me of lost opportunities of too many rural communities," Senator Boyhan added.
According to Senator Boyhan, he is excited about working with the new chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food, the Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-West, Aindrias Moynihan.
He also paid tribute to the chair of the previous committee, former Fianna Fáil TD, Jackie Cahill, who Senator Boyhan said had the "ability to summarise the problem and propose a solution" and was never afraid to challenge the status quo, if necessary.
According to the senator, one of the major challenges now facing Irish agriculture "will be to consolidate and find new markets for Irish agri-exports in light of tariffs that may be pursued by the United States".
"Clearly negotiation and a resolution to this impasse is in everyone’s interest.
"I expect this issue will be a top priority for the new committee," he added.
Senator Boyhan said one of his key objectives, once the new Oireachtas committee is up and running, will be will be to "give a voice to farmers, producers and their representative organisations".
"The committee has access to the minister for agriculture, the ministers of state and his departmental officials.
"Holding the minister and his department to account on policy performance and governance oversight is for me the most important aspect of my work on the committee, I look forward to working collaboratively and respectfully with all stakeholders to advance the best interests of the agricultural sector," he added.
