TILLAGE FUND WELCOME

BUT FARMERS NEED TO SEE THE FULL DETAILS

IFA President Joe Healy has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed of a financial support scheme for farmers who lost crops in the 2016 harvest due to dire weather conditions.

However, Joe Healy said the Department has to provide the full details of the scheme, “We would be concerned that the scheme is too narrow and restrictive. The budget allocated may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of the losses incurred by farmers.”

Mr Healy said it took longer than it should have to get over the line and it must be implemented promptly to get support to the farmers affected. IFA Grain Chairman Liam Dunne said the announcement of the scheme was long overdue, but that it would be welcomed by the grain farmers affected as they begin this year’s harvest.

“Given the financial pressure farmers have been under for almost a year as a result of lost crops, it is crucial that payments are made to farmers as soon as possible. It must be user friendly and ensure that sufficient aid gets to those who deserve it.”