Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on agriculture has urged the Minister for Agriland, Food and the Marine to respond to farmers who are “facing a worsening fodder shortage situation”.
Deputy Claire Kerrane said that current challenging weather conditions have exacerbated an already difficult situation for many farmers.
“While there have been warnings about a possible fodder shortage over the past few months, it seems that the situation has now set in for many farmers.
“Early housing of animals in the autumn has resulted in farmers coming to the end of their own fodder stocks and now facing higher prices for buying silage in to bridge the gap.
“In addition, continued bad weather looks likely to delay turnout further, which potentially places many family farmers under additional financial pressure as a result of the cost of keeping animals housed,” Deputy Kerrane added.
Fodder
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture said a number of farm organisations have called for a support scheme and a deferral of farm inspections because of the challenging weather conditions.
The Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) said an immediate fodder support scheme should be introduced for all farmers.
According to Deputy Kerrane it is now vital that Minister Charlie McConalogue outline his response to the fodder situation.
“It is important that he make clear what actions he is considering in response to farmers experiencing difficulties as result of this fodder shortage and prolonged weather conditions.
“Many family farmers are already under financial pressure as a result of increased input costs, and an additional round of costs only adds to that pressure,” she added.
IFA
Meanwhile the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) also warned today (Monday, March 25) that there is now a “deepening crisis on farms due to the ongoing wet weather”.
Francie Gorman said although all sectors are currently struggling, the tillage sector is at “breaking point”.
“Tillage had a horrendous time since last autumn and incurred big losses in the last harvest. The ongoing weather conditions have delayed planting and sowing.
“The situation arising from Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine is causing huge uncertainty in grain markets leaving farmers in a precarious position.
“I have raised this directly with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture. I have made it clear to them that government intervention is critical, and it cannot be delayed,” he added.