‘We need much more help with fodder crisis’
IFA boss calls for wider aid measures as bad weather looms
THE Irish Farmers’ Association has called the shortage of fodder an ‘emergency situation’ as Met Éireann issued a yellow warning for much of the country yesterday
IFA president Joe Healy said the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has to implement further measures to support farmers immediately.
‘The fodder import scheme announced by Minister Creed on Thursday evening must be open to all co-ops, licensed merchants and livestock marts.
‘The scheme must be inclusive of outlets who serve all farming sectors and all regions of the country,’ he said in a statement.
Minister Creed reduced the minimum distance fodder has to travel from 100km to 50km before it will be eligible for a subsidy.
Mr Healy responded to the Minister’s actions, saying: ‘He should stop tinkering with restrictions and make the scheme a straightforward subsidy to all farmers in need of fodder.
‘While it’s welcome that fodder is now coming into the country, easing the supply issue, some farmers have already spent huge amounts on fodder and will not have sufficient resources to purchase the imported fodder.’
Minister Creed defended the Government’s handling of the crisis, insisting they are dealing with a ‘dynamic situation which is changing on almost a weekly basis’.
Speaking to farmers during a delivery of fodder at the Dairygold co-op in Co. Cork yesterday, Minister Creed said every effort is being made to remedy the situation.
Bishop John Buckley, of the Diocese of Cork & Ross and beyond, shared his experiences travelling the diocese to speak with farmers and their families struggling with the shortage in fodder.
‘Due to lack of feed, animals are suffering great stress during this difficult winter and late spring,’ he said.
‘This emergency situation has resulted in reports of animals dying on farms. Many farmers have approached me, asking for prayers. ‘I am asking all Masses in the dioceses to offer prayers this weekend for the farming community and to pray for an end to the wet and unseasonably cold weather,’ Bishop Buckley said.
Minister Creed acknowledged that the prolonged winter has been very hard on farmer and looked to planning for the future.
He remarked: ‘When we move from this very difficult period, I think all of us – all stakeholders – will have to sit down and learn the lessons from this in terms of changing weather.
‘This is the second time in five years we are in this situation.
‘How can we build our resilience in these matters?’ he said.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil spokesman on Social Protection, Willie O’Dea, called on the Government to extend the Fuel Allowance payment for an additional three weeks in light of the poor weather that has beset the country.
‘An additional three weeks payment would cost the Exchequer approximately €25.5million and I think that this money should be sought by Minister Doherty from the Department of Finance,’ Mr O’Dea said.
‘While it’s not an insignificant sum of money, it would ensure that those at risk of fuel poverty aren’t left wanting.’
He added that a family should not have to ‘pick and choose between buying a bag of coal and paying for food.’
‘With the weather as it is, most homes are going through two to three bags of coal, plus briquettes, every week,’ he said. Brenda Power – Page 17
news@dailymail.ie
‘Stop tinkering with restrictions’