Elaine Farrell has been elected President of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA), the professional body for graduates in all areas of the agriculture and food industry. She is the first woman president in the 66-year history of the association.

From Castletownroche in Cork, she is a graduate in agricultural science from UCD and has worked with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) for the past 15 years. She has served as executive secretary to the association's sugar beet and forestry sections and is currently the IFA Oireachtas liaison executive with responsibility for developing and co-ordinating linkages with all areas of government and with opposition parties.

She was elected ASA president at the association's annual conference in Galway last weekend. She takes over from Gerry Scully, programme manager for rural development with Teagasc.

Elaine Farrell said she was honoured to be the first woman president of the association and looked forward to representing professionals in the agri-food sector at a time of new opportunity for farming and food.

"Fifteen years ago, women professionals in the agri-food sector were somewhat of a rarity. The gender balance has changed dramatically during the past decade and the proportion of women involved across all areas of the industry continues to increase."

"Women now account for close on 50% of all students pursuing degrees in agriculture and food science in UCD," she said.