The “question mark” over compensating losses for ash dieback continues, according to Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Claire Kerrane.
From speaking with farmers, the deputy said she has heard that there’s a lot of “pulling in different directions” from government on what should and should not be included in the scheme.
Deputy Kerrane met with the Wexford Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) branch this week to discuss various issues, including ash dieback.
She said that from speaking to farmers, there was initially “a lot of anger”, but now she can see it is “really impacting” the mental health of farmers.
“They, and many other farmers across the state, are at their wits end and have waited long enough,” the deputy said.
The independent review of support for farmers impacted by ash dieback, published in October suggested a once-off payment to be made to each affected landowner “as recognition of the absence of an effective scheme between 2018 and 2023”.
The review also stated that the current clearance grant of €2,000 is reasonable, but additional “exceptional costs” should be considered for particularly challenging cases.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Pippa Hackett said the strategy would be published in the “very near future”.
Deputy Kerrane said she has been raising the matter with the minister for months.
“With each passing week it becomes clearer that the minister and her government either do not appreciate or care that ash dieback has caused serious frustration and financial loss for affected farmers and forestry landowners.
“Her reply also references the need for an ‘efficient, appropriate and proportionate response’, but such a delay flies in the face of that,” Deputy Kerrane said.
“Enough is enough and the minister must publish the government’s action plan on ash dieback immediately. It is the very least she can do and I will continue to push her on this issue,” Deputy Kerrane added.