To keep up the pressure on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to deliver a fodder relief scheme, Fianna Fáil’s agriculture spokesman Charlie McConalogue visited farmers in Co Leitrim last week.

Deputy McConalogue urged Minister Creed to make every effort to introduce a scheme that will target the worst-affected farms.

Teagasc needs to suspend all other activities

He said: “We have a long winter ahead and farmers are facing into a very, very difficult period. We cannot be prescriptive with support to farmers; those that are in bad way need help.

There is a real need for a targeted relief scheme that delivers to farmers and areas that need it most.”

He said the support is needed now to avert a real crisis in the new year.

Voucher system

The farmers present at the meeting agreed that a fodder voucher system would be the most effective way of dealing with the situation, with Teagasc co-ordinating the efforts.

A farmer short of fodder would apply to Teagasc for funding to buy a certain amount of meal or forage, with Teagasc then assessing the legitimacy of that request.

The farm visits were organised by farmer and local Fiann Fáil county councillor Paddy O’Rourke who said more resources need to be targeted at alleviating the situation.

“Teagasc needs to suspend all other activities and redirect efforts to assisting farmers in this area. They need advice, they need help, they need assistance,” O’Rourke said.

Read more

IFA to host major fodder meeting

Rally on ANC scheme and fodder