Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced a pause to all non-essential agricultural inspections until April 22.
The minister has also said that he has spoken to banks to ask them to ensure access to short term finance and overdraft facilities where needed, to deal with the pressure arising from the current “exceptional weather conditions”.
As well as that, the minister said that he has tasked Teagasc with the “coordination of support to farmers under fodder pressure”.
“I am extremely conscious of the pressure on farmers as a result of continuing and exceptional adverse weather conditions.
“As an immediate step I have asked my department to pause farm inspections not specifically required to support payments until April 22. In considering this matter, I was conscious of the need to avoid any action that might affect payments to farmers,” the minister said.
“This step is a proportionate and necessary one in the current circumstances,” he added.
He went on to say: “I have also asked Teagasc to establish a system for coordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who are struggling.
“The National Fodder and Feed Security Committee, which I convened last week, concluded that, notwithstanding the difficulties that some farmers are experiencing, there are sufficient fodder stocks around the country at present.”
“This system will support the optimal use of available stocks, and I have asked Teagasc to report back to next week’s National Feed and Food Security Committee on the outcome,” the minister said, confirming that the committee will meet again next week.
On the finance issues, Minister McConalogue said: “I also met recently with the main banks, and my department is continuing to engage with them. I have impressed upon them the need to show forbearance with farmers where cashflow issues are emerging in response to current difficulties.
“I also asked them to ensure access to short term finance and overdraft facilities, where needed, to deal with the pressure arising from the current exceptional weather conditions,” he added.
The minister said he would continue to monitor the situation closely.