Fianna Fail spokesperson on agriculture Charlie McConalogue addressed a public meeting at Elphin Mart in Co. Roscommon last week, where the farm income and fodder crises were up for discussion.
The meeting was organised by his fellow Fianna Fail TD Eugene Murphy, who claimed that Deputy McConalogue was “to the fore on this issue”.
Deputy Murphy added that Fianna Fail’s effort to secure improved payments in the suckler sector is a “clear message that the state values suckler farming and the massive economic benefits it brings to rural Ireland”.
Deputy Murphy said the party’s motion in the Dail earlier this year, calling for priority for the suckler sector, was a “key catalyst for action”.
Indeed my party colleague Charlie McConalogue has been to the fore on this issue and I was delighted that he accepted my invitation to Elphin Mart last week to speak on tackling the fodder and farm income crisis.
However, Deputy Murphy said he was disappointed with the Government’s refusal to introduce a low-cost cash-flow scheme for farmers, while also bemoaning the lack of progress on a hardship fund to help address farmers’ cash-flow difficulties.
Several farmers in attendance at the event expressed their concern with Budget 2019 incentives which they believe will lead to ”further forestry coverage in the region”.