Sinn Féin spokesperson for agriculture, Claire Kerrane has slammed the government’s failure to deliver a strategy to address ash dieback.
Last month, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Pippa Hackett told Deputy Kerrane that the long-awaited action plan would be submitted for approval in the “very near future”.
However, the Roscommon–Galway TD said that “there is still no sight of such a strategy, despite repeated assurances that it was imminent”.
Ash dieback
The independent review of government supports for farmers impacted by ash dieback was published in October.
It stated that the tree disease “needs to be treated as a national emergency” which “requires a state-led national and rapid coordinated response”.
Deputy Kerrane said that farmers, forestry owners and representative organisations have been calling for a government response on the issue “for some time”.
“It is unacceptable that farmers and forestry owners are still awaiting the publication of a strategy to address ash dieback.
“The extensive delays and sheer lack of action from the government on this matter cannot be described as anything other than disgraceful,” she said.
Deputy Kerrane said that she has been consistently asking Minister Hackett about when the action plan will be produced.
“She had assured me time and time again that it will be presented to Cabinet for approval in the ‘very near future’. Yet, months have passed and we still have no sight of a much-needed strategy.
“This is despite those involved in forestry highlighting the urgent need for action from a financial perspective and from a health and safety perspective,” she said.
The Sinn Féin TD added that she recently met with farmers in Co. Galway who are “really distressed that a strategy has not yet been published”.
“They are in limbo in a situation that only continues to worsen through no fault of their own.
“The minister can choose to ignore my calls, but she should not be ignoring the calls of farmers and forestry owners whose ash plantations are affected.
“Farmers and forestry owners cannot wait any longer for a strategy on ash dieback and continue to suffer as a result of her idleness on this matter.
“I am demanding that Minister Hackett publish the action plan to address ash dieback immediately. There is no more time to lose,” Deputy Kerrane said.