Deputy Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil candidate in the Midlands North West European constituency, has called for an emergency response to support farmers with more heavy rainfall expected this week.
Deputy Cowen is urging flexibility for farmers who are struggling amid severe weather, including fast-tracking any payments, lenders showing leniency and more emergency funding and supports.
Speaking during a visit to Tullamore Mart this morning, Deputy Cowen said a new funding provision needs to be brought forward to help farmers tackle prolonged periods of adverse and unpredictable weather amid worsening ground conditions.
Deputy Cowen said: “The persistent poor weather has resulted in difficult soil conditions, with some tillage farmers unable to access their fields to plant crops, while fodder stocks are being further depleted as farmers are left with no choice but to keep their cattle inside.
“Farm families need to be supported and everyone must play a part in making their lives easier during this hugely difficult, and increasingly more common, period of unsettled weather.
“Farmers need help and where possible we have to fast-track any payments to those who are working harder than ever to maintain their farms in increasingly difficult conditions. I’m also encouraging banks and lenders to demonstrate leniency in making credit accessible to farmers at this time.
“We’re well aware that climate change is making conditions for farming more challenging, which presents a severe threat to food security.
“We need to enact emergency and longer term sustained funding model. I have today written to the Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure to ask for this emergency funding to be made available to farmers and food producers urgently. If elected as an MEP, I will champion an adverse weather emergency support fund for farmers.”
Deputy Cowen also called for more consideration for farmers, following comments from the CEO of the Health and Safety Authority, Conor O’Brien, who called for a ‘blitz of farm inspections’ ahead of further unsettled weather over the coming week.
“We need to start supporting and showing more appreciation for farm families, who are under huge pressure already without the threat of further distractions, never mind penalties and sanctions," Deputy Cowen added.
“Farmer welfare is at the forefront of our concerns at such a stressful time, and more consideration and respect needs to be given due to the intense challenges those working in the agriculture sector are facing.”
-ENDS-