The executive board of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) have agreed to step aside to allow full elections to take place in the Spring.

They have also agreed changes to their terms of office, reverting from a four-year term to two two-year terms.

The board will put this to a full council meeting tomorrow, following months of controversy for the IFA after revelations regarding the pay levels of some executive council members.

If approved, there will be elections for the top IFA roles in Spring.

The board say they were making this proposal in the best interests of the association.

News editor at the Farmers Journal, Patrick Donohue, says the decision is not a surprise.