This article is from page 22 of the 2013-04-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
PRESSURE is mounting on the Minister for Agriculture to “put his money where his mouth is” and bring forward an emergency aid for the Clare farmers worst hit by the fodder crisis.
Addressing a meeting of more than 200 farmers in Ennis on Friday, Fianna Fáil’s agriculture spokesperson, Eamon Ó Cuiv, said an aid deal in needed urgently if Clare farmers are to be able to continue feeding animals over the next two to four weeks.
Deputy Ó Cuiv said that plan of Minister Coveney to fast-track payments under some farm scheme would have little or no effect in tackling the current crisis and a € 10 million aid package was need immediately to tackle the current problem.
“Steps taken yesterday by Minister Coveney to fast-track payments under various farming schemes will not help the most urgent cases,” said Deputy O’Cuiv.
“What is now needed is straight cash to assist farmers who cannot get credit and do not have enough money to feed their cattle.”
The former Fianna Fáil minister was speaking at an emergency meeting which took place at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis on Friday night last.
Speaking ahead of last Friday’s emergency meeting in Ennis, Minister Coveney said that access to credit was key for farmers to see themselves through this difficult period.
“Access to credit is crucial at this time and flexibility from both banks and merchants is vital. I will be speaking to banks to highlight the challenges facing farmers as a result of the weather, and insisting they take a flexible approach to dealing with short term credit issues,” he said.
“I have also been in contact with co-ops and grain and feed merchants to urge them to be flexible during this difficult time. This is an occasion when solidarity is needed among the farming community.
“I would ask those that have fodder to be proactive in making it available to neighbouring farmers who are encountering severe problems.”