Ongoing poor weather ‘placing farmers under serious pressure’
St Patrick’s Day is seen as a turning point in the farming calendar, but ground is saturated due to wet conditions that stretch back to the middle of last year.
Ongoing weather conditions are placing farmers under “serious pressure and adding to stress levels for families”, the Irish Farmers’ Association has warned.
IFA deputy president Alice Doyle said that the level of rainfall “has made it impossible to move livestock; planting and sowing is way behind; and bills are mounting as farmers struggle to keep on top of their work”.
St Patrick’s Day is seen as a turning point in the farming calendar, but ground is saturated due to wet conditions that stretch back to the middle of last year, Ms Doyle said.
She has appealed to everybody in the sector who interacts with farmers to take this into account and to give whatever support they can.
“For the Department of Agriculture, it could mean stepping down inspections for the moment and also redoubling their efforts to ensure the timely payment of funds from farm schemes. Any change to terms and conditions that allows maximum flexibility should also be considered,” Ms Doyle continued.
Processors and banks also have a role to play, she said.
“Every cent that’s in the marketplace has to make its way back to farmers. Banks should apply leniency for anybody who’s battling to meet repayments,” Ms Doyle added.
Kathleen O’Sullivan | Irish Examiner
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