10-point plan proposed to combat 'unprecedented fodder crisis'
The potential for an unprecedented fodder crisis this coming winter is growing by the day, according to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), which has proposed a 10-point plan to combat fodder issues.
Commenting on the situation, ICMSA president Pat McCormack said that the response by Government to date has simply not been adequate.
While weather between now and next April will be key, the president warned that farmers need to be preparing for the worst.
He added that the “wait and see” approach of the Department of Agriculture and the “tweaking of a few schemes” and paying direct payments earlier is not adequate.
If the weather between now and next April goes against us, we are facing an unprecedented crisis and concrete measures are needed now and immediately to minimise the impact.
Describing the need for written applications for GLAS derogations as a “complete underestimation of the current crisis”, McCormack said that farmers haven’t got the time to be dealing with such paperwork.
In response to current conditions, the farmers’ organisation has outlined how best to tackle the current issues.
Concluding, McCormack said, that Irish farmers are in a very serious situation and the time for action is now.
