About Us

The Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA) are the sole representative body for private agricultural consultants and advisors in Ireland. Currently the ACA have in excess of 165  member offices in Ireland, employing circa 280 Agricultural and Environmental professionals and a further 200 employed as administration and technical staff. 6 ACA members are Forestry Consultants.

The latest Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) statistics indicate that our members provide independent advisory support and knowledge transfer services to over 55,000 Irish farmers. ACA are the largest provider of farm advisory services to farmers in Ireland.

 

The DAFM have confirmed our current market share over a range of Agricultural Schemes is as follows:

  1. TAMS – 80% of applications completed.
  2. Nutrient Management Plans and Nitrates Derogation applications – 76%.
  3. DAFM Knowledge Transfer Programme – 52% of groups in Ireland were facilitated by ACA members.
  4. Basic Payment Scheme applications – 58%.

 

ACA members must have a minimum of a level 8 qualification in Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry. Members must have Professional Indemnity, abide by the Association’s Constitution and Code of Ethics and comply with the annual requirements of Continuous Professional Development. Members can be located in every county in Ireland by visiting the ‘Find a Member’ section on this website.

 

1979
ACA established

ACA National Council

Noel Feeney
President
Michael Ryan
Vice President
Ken Hayes
Treasurer
Leonard Donnellan
Honorary Secretary
Breian Carroll
General Secretary
Mairead Quinn
Council Member
Martin Crowe
Council Member
Richard Hackett
Council Member
Tom Rafter
council member
Owen O Driscoll
Council Member
Laura Johnston
Council Member
Tim Bourke
Council Member
Siobhan Ward
Council Member
Paidraig Dolan
Council Member (Forestry)
Tom Canning
Council Member
Angela Casey
aca Head office
Brian Dolan
Council Member
Hayley Buckingham
FES Manager/ACA Support