An organisational review of the country's largest farm organisation, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), is being carried out to reflect the new realities in agriculture, a spokesman for the organisation said yesterday.
He stressed, however, that the review of the organisation's resources, structures and operating procedures was being undertaken from a position of strength rather than the opposite.
"Ours is a very well-resourced organisation with membership at a high level, but what we are trying to do is to focus the resources where they will benefit our members most," he said.
"We accept there will be fewer part-time farmers in the future - and that is something that will be looked at - but there are other major issues to be addressed before that," he said.
He said many farmers who would in the past have been voluntary participants did not now have the time to drive to Dublin to serve on the many committees which make up the organisation.
"And we expect the consultants will be looking at the number of committees and how they relate to the full-time organisers who are on the road," he said. He said the consultant, Mr Michael Dowling (former secretary general of the Department of Agriculture and Food, director of Kerry Co-op and head of agri-business strategy for AIB), would not, however, be looking at the vexed issue of what became known as "pavilion membership".
The Irish Farmers' Association had been on the verge of offering associate membership to people who use the country for leisure, when a major row broke out over hill-walking in the west.
It is understood that the issue will be revisited soon, as there is a strong demand for associate membership which also carries insurance from sporting organisations.
The membership of the organisation, which employs 75 full-time staff, has asked its members for submissions on the review before June 4th.
The recommendations will be put to the IFA's national council on July 9th next, with final decision on it due on July 30th.