A Co. Cavan farmer has been named as the IFA's new Ulster/Nth Leinster Regional Chair.
Maurice Brady is a full-time suckler farmer based in Laragh in Co. Cavan.
He replaces outgoing chair, Monaghan farmer Frank Brady, who is no relation.
Prior to being elected as regional chair, Maurice was the chairperson of the Cavan IFA for four years
Speaking to Northern Sound, he outlined that bTB is the biggest problem facing farmers in the region.
He explained that TB is rampant in many areas, and there is a need to get back to basics.
Mr. Brady said: "For me, TB comes back to wildlife control. A number of years ago, we had 15 or 16 thousand reactor cattle, this year we have maybe 45 thousand.
"I think we all need to get back to basics on the issue around wild life. There was a vaccination programme done around badgers, seemed to work for a time. It seems now very clear, that it hasn't worked, and that it hasn't been a success.
"There's also an issue with deer, there's a lot more deer in the region than there was maybe five or 10 years ago, for whatever reason. They're popping up everywhere now.
"There's a deer management forum set up to deal with deer, I welcome that.
"It's hard to get away from being more stringent on wild life control," Mr. Brady added.
