Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD has welcomed the early issuance of the GLAS balancing payment but warned more is needed from Government and Europe to support farmers during the public health emergency.
Deputy McConalogue said, “I had repeatedly called on Minister Creed to bring forward the date of the GLAS balancing payment. I welcome last night’s announcement that the payment will be issued early. It will come as a relief to many farmers experiencing cashflow problems.
“However, much more action is needed to support the sector. There has been little action from Minister Creed at national level or from the EU Commission. The level of urgency shown in reacting to this unprecedented public health emergency is very disappointing.
“Minister Creed needs to engage with the EU Commission on behalf of Irish farmers to seek emergency aid for those in the sector. Supports should be forthcoming from Europe and it should not be taking repeated calls for those supports to arrive.
“We also need to see aid to private storage measures introduced from Europe without delay in order to stabilise meat and dairy prices over the coming weeks.
“Like every other sector farming has been significantly affected by the global pandemic. The response from Government has not been what is required. Minister Creed needs to ramp up his engagement with European Officials on behalf of Irish farmers,” concluded Deputy McConalogue.
