In the words of Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, any support for a political party that represents agriculture would be considered anti-government rather than anti-green.

In a recent study from the Irish Farmers Journal, if a new farmers’ political party were to form, three out of four farmers would support it. Mr. McCormack was responding to this finding.

When asked if there was a reason to vote for Sinn Féin instead of the government, Mr. McCormack said on Newstalk Breakfast that farmers were worried about the party's plans.

The fundamental problem was that farmers did not have a strong anti-Green agenda. “I think farmers and agriculture are on the right track to achieving their 25% reduction in emission goals. However, there is some annoyance among rural residents and families over the anti-rural agenda since it is ‘anti-rural’.”

According to Mr. McCormack, the aviation industry contributes significantly to emissions, but there hasn't been as much “finger-pointing” against it as there has been against farming.

Farmers weren't discussing the formation of a new political party among themselves. Farm households debated their voting options 12 to 18 months from the next general election.

In the present-day farmers were worried about the future. “Rural households would typically be represented by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael TDs, but farmers are currently dissatisfied with both political parties. Other than from Independent TDs, virtually little engagement has occurred with farmers,” said Mr. McCormack.