Farm leaders renew push for fodder scheme

FARM organisations have strengthened their demand for a revised fodder subsidy scheme to be introduced in the aftermath of Storm Emma,

ICSA Sligo chairman Gabriel Gilmartin told the that as a result of the treacherous weather conditions the availability of excess fodder for transport to the north-west was likely to dry up.

He said those in the south would want to keep fodder as security and it will put more pressure on stricken areas.

Mr Gilmartin is “more adamant than ever” that a meal voucher scheme is needed.

“Farmers with surplus fodder will be less willing to sell fodder.

“We were getting fodder from farmers in Wexford, Kildare and Tipperary but these are some of the counties that were hit worst by the weather.

“There’s snow forecast in Sligo for the end of the week. This will only add pressure,” said Mr Gilmartin.

“There’s too much bureaucracy and red tape, particularly for the guys selling the fodder attached to the current scheme.”

IFA president Joe Healy called on Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to rethink the “inadequate response” as it was clear the current scheme was not working and meal vouchers should be reconsidered.

INHFA president Colm O’ Donnell also voiced his concern that counties with surplus fodder affected by Storm Emma will put pressure on fodder reserves country wide.

“It needs to be scrapped and a meal voucher system needs to be introduced,” he urged.

ICMSA president Pat McCormack also called for the fodder subsidy scheme to be reviewed in light of the weather conditions.

“Teagasc should do an immediate assessment of the situation countrywide given the reality that getting to grass is now going to be delayed considerably and fodder will become an issue for more and more farmers,” he said.

Fianna Fail’s Charlie McConalogue also called for the fodder scheme to be revised and to “expand that scheme to include meal vouchers and other payments given.”