Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

New President For 2007/8

Robin Irvine, Agricultural Manager of Fane Valley Co-op has been elected as President of the NI Grain Trade Association for 2007/8. This is the second time that Robin has held the post, having previously served in this capacity in 2003.

Robin has worked in the Agri-supply industry since leaving college in 1975, initially with John Thompson and Sons and since 1983 he has headed the Agricultural Division within Fane Valley.

He represents Northern Ireland feed compounders on the AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation) Feed Committee in addition to representing the animal health distributors on the Animal Health Distributors Association Council.

AHDA was recently successful in securing the role of agricultural merchants in the supply of animal medicines following a battle with Brussels which extended over many years.

Robin was awarded a Fellowship from the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 1997 - " in recognition of outstanding service to and achievement within the agricultural industry".

Leisure time is spent with family and his herd of pedigree cattle on a small farm near Whitecross in County Armagh. The Ballymoyer Hereford herd has enjoyed considerable success over the years and Robin has judged at many of the major livestock events throughout the UK and Ireland.

He has also been successful in establishing markets for Hereford beef from N. Ireland as a premium brand and is currently UK vice president of the Hereford Cattle Society.

Outgoing President of NIGTA, Alan Ashenhurst commented "Robin will bring a wealth of organizational and negotiating skills to our Association and from past experience we know that he will be a dedicated president".