The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) recently held its Annual General Meeting and are pleased to announce the new office bearer team for 2025-26.
Mr David O’Connor, Trade Manager for Ireland with grain importer Cefetra Ltd, has been elected to lead the Association as President for the year. This is the second time David has been at the helm of NIGTA, having held the same position in 2016.
David brings a wealth of experience having spent most of his career in the animal feed trade. He has worked with Cefetra, formerly McCorkell Limited, for almost 35 years and was elected to the NIGTA Executive in 2013.
Commenting after the meeting David said, “It is an honour to be asked to lead the Association for a second time, particularly during our 60th anniversary year, as we navigate the stormy waters of the ongoing unstable geopolitical situation and trade tariffs. We will continue to work to find better ways of managing regulatory divergence, the inevitable consequence of EU-exit, and we remain committed to helping the supply chain address the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow. Despite the complexities facing businesses for the year ahead, I remain buoyed by the strength of the NIGTA membership, the level of expertise contained within it and the unwavering commitment to working together for the benefit of the local agri-food industry.”
The other appointments made at the AGM include Aidan Fisher, Trouw Nutrition as Vice President; Michael McAree, Precision Liquids as Honorary Secretary; and Debbie Stewart, United Feeds as Honorary Treasurer.
Outgoing President, Gary McIntyre, presented a report on the activities of the Association over the past year. He noted that sustainability continues to be a top priority for NIGTA and outlined the work of the Sustainability Committee, including the considerable effort put into helping to develop the Carbon Awareness training with CAFRE.
The various forums where NIGTA is represented and engages with government and stakeholders was highlighted along with the importance of doing so to bring an understanding to issues, explaining the practicalities and impacts of proposed measures.
Gary thanked members for their respective contributions and paid tribute to David Garrett for having done an outstanding job throughout the year as interim CEO while Gill Gallagher was on maternity leave.
Following the AGM, members heard from Vicky Robinson, Head of Sustainability with the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), on a range of topics including sustainable sourcing and the differing regulations in the EU and UK on deforestation.
NIGTA then hosted its quarterly lunch for members where Keelin Reilly, Director of Operations at Rural Support, provided an overview of the vital services the charity provides to the farming and rural community across Northern Ireland. Members were pleased to support Rural Support and raised a total of £1932.50 by raffling a hamper of local produce, which was won by Fane Valley Feeds.
