Category: News

CLARE farmers are within touching distance of an end to the fodder crisis – one of the worst feed shortages to hit the county’s farms in decades.

Clare IFA chairman, Andrew Dundas, believes that the next ten days are critical with any remaining fodder running out and grass growth just starting to begin in earnest.

The organisation helped to harvest a further 1,100 bales of silage from land banks at Shannon Airport last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday more than twice what they had predicted they would get from the site.

This mean that 2,300 bales of silage were harvested from the airport over the past two week. While these bales have already been allocated to Clare farmers and are likely all used up – they provided a vital stop gap to get farmers through the worst of the crisis.

“We have gotten a bit of heat and grass is starting to grow. It will take a week or two to get going properly but hopefully the end is in sight,” said Mr Dundas.

“The next few days are the real pressure time on farms but at least an end is, hopefully, in sight. Shannon Airport came at the critical time – there were a lot of farmers in a critical situation over the last 10 days and the bales [from Shannon Airport] really saved them.

“This was about getting people over the hump and I think it made a big difference in the county. I would say all those bales are eaten at this stage – but they were there at a crucial stage.”

One silver lining of the fodder crisis was the way that the local farming community – including the farming organisations, co-ops, marts, local businesses and farmers – came together to see themselves through the crisis.

“A bit of growth is crucial now. It will take a few weeks for the grass growth to come back and hopefully that will be the end of it,” continued Andrew.

“There was a great effort right across the farming community in Clare to get through this. Everyone worked incredible hard and a lot of organisations and people out there deserve a lot credit. It was a real cross community effort – from Shannon Airport to the marts, co-ops and all the agri-businesses. It was a great community effort.” Tue07May13

A BALLYVAUGHAN grandmother who says she was ‘butchered’ by doctors when giving birth to her first son in 1965, is appealing to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to locate records of the birth.

Elizabeth “Ellen” Moore says that she has wanted to die on a number of occasions over the past 48 years following her symphysiotomy – which has left her in near constant pain and completely incontinent.

This procedure, which involved breaking a woman’s pelvic bone during labour, was conducted without her knowledge or permission in September of 1965.

Mrs Moore has recently obtained all her medical records from the HSE under Freedom of Information – but records of the birth of her first son and the controvertial symphysiotomy have been lost.

Ellen, who has five grown up children now living in Shannon and East Clare, says she wants the records so she can finally explain to her children why their mother was the way she was.

“My family are so supportive – they always have been. Sometimes I just curl up on the bed and hope that the pain will go away. It is difficult, [but] I had to get up every morning. I had five children, I had to keep going,” she said.

“There were time when I wanted to die, I wanted to get into bed and never get out of it – after I’d had an accident down the town of something.

“Nobody can give me back the years of my life. I should have had a good life, I should have been able to go places and do things – but I’ve been tied to pain. I think if I felt sorry for myself, I’d start to crack up.”

A GROUP of Clare farmers have proposed radical changing to the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), which they believe could prevent as disastrous fodder shortage, like the one seen over the past month, from happening again.

The United Farmers Association (UFA) have gained much support in Clare since they formed a number of months ago.

The organisation supports a redistribution of the money paid to Irish farmers under CAP with smaller farmers, such as those in Clare, ben- efiting more, while larger farmers, more common in the eastern counties, would get proportionately less.

Clare spokesperson for the UFA, Joe Corbett, has proposed a change to CAP regulations which he feels would unlock large landbanks of good farmland which are currently not being used to its potential.

The scheme involves allowing inactive landowners to lease their land with their Single Farm Payment (SFP) being split between the landowner and the leasing farmers.

Currently landowners will lose their SFP if they lease their land making leasing unattractive for both parties.

This system, according to Joe, would allow both parties to share the benefits of increased production on the land as well as sharing the SFP associated with the land, a system which he believes would lead to an increased production on Clare farms.

“Farmers who want to retire or maybe want to get employment off the farm need to be incentifised to lease their land. They can’t be expected to lease their land for less than they would get if they had the minimum stock levels as set out under the SFP,” said Joe.

“A person in this position will get 50 per cent of his SFP and get more than the remaining 50 per cent from the farmer who is leasing the land. The leasing farmers will then get 45 per cent of the SFP for the land, which will subsidise the cost of leasing, but he will be able to more than make this up from increased productivity on the land.

“This idea will unlock the production potential that is in this land and it will see the land owner and the active farmer sharing that potential.”

The UFA scheme would also see the remaining five per cent of the SFP used for an emergency hardship fund to be created to help farmers in times of extreme hardship, such as the recent fodder crisis.

FARMERS from the North and West area of Clare are reporting thefts of bales and other fodder from their farms.

As the farmers endure the greatest fodder shortage in living memory, those lucky enough to still have some of last year’s harvest now fear it may be taken as some farmers already say they have been the victim of such thefts.

Gardaí say that while they have heard of a number of incidents of this happening, they have received just a few official reports to that effect.

Kilrush area Superintendent Gerry Wall described these thefts as “particularly nasty”.

The senior garda maintains that stealing bales, silage and other fodder from hard-pressed farmers, is adding to their stresses and making life even more difficult.

Farmers are not just at the financial loss of the bale of hay or silage, but find it difficult to replace it to feed their own animals as the crisis fodder continues.

“It [fodder] has a value, and people are taking advantage of those who are already in a difficult situation. It is a particularly nasty theft,” said the superintendent.

He encouraged people to come forward and report such incidents and anyone with any information to also call the Gardaí.

“This is a particularly difficult time for the farming community, and I am happy to help in any way,” he added.

Farmers say those with bales to sell can name their price as most farmers have come to the end of their own supply.

A wet summer and autumn last year resulted in a very poor harvest. Leaving many farmers short of the required fodder to feed their animals. A cold and wet spring is adding to their difficulties, as their animals cannot be let out to graze, adding to an already deepening agricultural crisis.

“IF YOU don’t have fodder for me, I’m not talking to you.” That’s according an upset farmer at the Ennis mart last Thursday.

Over the last few weeks we have heard a lot from the likes of Clare ICMSA and the Clare United Farmers Association about the fodder crisis, but when farmers of the county were asked how they were impacted by the crisis their reactions were one of hesitance, frustration and repetition.

“We have very little grass and we are running out of feed. It most certainly has impacted me, and the next week or so is seriously going to tell the tale,” according to Martin Cavanagh of Liscannor, “we really need the sunny weather to come and stay with us.”

Reluctant to speak, each farmer quietly portrayed their annoyance over the “horrendous sitiuation” everyone is stuck in at this time. Ireland’s typical weather did not fair too well regardless of whom spoke either; the next two weeks are of great importance to the county and our livestock and a sunny day here or there will not cut it for these farmers.

According to one dispairing farmer at the mart on Thursday “another week or so and it’ll tell us everything. Alot of people around me now are struggling and it’s a desperate situation that we are in. The prices of hay here are mad, but they have to be fed.”

Another farmer from West Clare also complained of the high costs: “It’s € 70 for hay and € 5 for a sqaure bale and farmers are running out. Prices are terrible at the minute and everyone is finding it hard. People have way too much stock and not enough fodder.”

Earlier this month an emergency fodder helpline was set up by Teagasc and local farming groups. The helpline has reported it was contacted by 60 farmers during the week, 28 farmers pleading for extra fodder supplies and 32 farmers offering their surplus in order to help other farmers.

Pat Cahill on the other hand said he is one of the lucky ones at the minute. “I have enough to do me a few weeks. I know in West Clare some haven’t been so lucky. The dairy farmers seem to have a lot of stock but sure they have to be fed, even on Christmas day!.”

“Sun, heat and dry weather is what we want,” Marty Meehan of Carron told The Clare People , “I bought about 200 extra bales of silage last year and not much is left. The fodder crisis has effected everyone. If the weather stays nice like this we might have some hope but we know it won’t.”

CLARE farmers will need in excess of 15,000 bales of silage to see themselves through the next two weeks as the fodder crisis reaches breaking point.

More than 1,200 bales which were harvest at Shannon Airport over the weekend have already been distributed – with some farmers who asked for 20 and 30 bales being allocated just three bales each.

The IFA is hopeful to be in a position to harvest a further 600 bales from the airport later this week but this will be a difficult operation, involving grounds close to the main runway at Shannon Airport.

The mortality rate on Clare farms was last week estimated to be between 45 per cent and 60 per cent higher than normal – with a lack of quality feed the main factor. Animals deaths in Clare are understood to have reached several hundred already this year and, while no official figures are yet available, the Dead Animal Collection Service has been forced to curtail its operating hours because of the sheer scale of dead animals on Clare farms.

Clare Marts Ltd yesterday took delivery of its first shipment of hay from Kent in the UK. The Department of Agriculture has not, however, extended its Transport Subsidy to the mart – which means that the cost of transporting the feed will have to be borne by the mart and by Clare farmers.

The Department of Agriculture is also understood to be examining the possibility for shipping in boatloads of fodder from the UK directly into Foynes and Galway – which could mean a cheaper and quicker of fodder to Clare farmers.

“The bales from Shannon are brilliant, but they are just the tip of the iceberg really. I though on Friday morning that we might have been able to wrap some of it and use it next week maybe, but the demand was so great that it was all gone straight away. It was hard to cope with the calls afterward. I took in excess of 100 calls from Clare farmers on Saturday,” said Clare IFA chairman, Andrew Dundas.

“This might keep people going for a day or two. Farmers are under severe pressure at the moment. Cash is a huge issue out there and people have already ran up a massive bill. And we have a way to go in this yet. The rate of animals deaths in Clare has increased dramatically. It has already ran into the hundreds of animal, without a doubt. It is a very large amount.” Ennistymon farmer Pat O’Donoghue praised the work of the IFA in securing the Shannon Airport cutting – two years before it was due to be cut. “There was a lot of negotiations but this is great,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

FIFTY-FIVE years after its first transatlantic flight from Shannon, Aer Lingus is on the cusp of resuming a year-round transatlantic operation from Clare’s international airport.

Aer Lingus sources have confirmed that the restoration of the permanent 12-month a year service from Shannon to both New York and Boston could be facilitated by the use of smaller, more fuel efficient aircraft on the transatlantic fleet from next winter.

The move comes just under three years after the national airline announced its first suspension of services to Boston and New York from Shannon – the first 11-week break from taking place from January to March 2011, which was repeated in both 2012 and 2013.

The decision to suspend services to Boston and New York during the off-peak winter months was made on the back of heavy losses on the two routes stretching back over 15 years.

“Both these routes have incurred significant losses during the winter months in 14 of the past 15 years. Since 1995, Aer Lingus has lost a total of € 163m on its transatlantic flights from Shannon during the winter months, with an average operating loss per winter season of almost € 11m,” said Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller.

“In addition, the airline has sustained declining load factors on these routes for a number of years. Aer Lingus is committed to the Shannon market as an important part of our network. However, in order to maintain the viability of our Shannon transatlantic operations throughout the remainder the year, the three-month suspension of these routes when seasonal demand is at its lowest is crucial,” he added.

However, three years on it’s hoped that the year-round service will be resumed through the use of the smaller and more viable Boeing 757 aircraft on the route.

Aer Lingus has completed a deal to lease three Boeing 757 jets to operate North Atlantic services starting in early 2014. It’s understood the aircraft will be leased from Dublin based air contractors.

CLARE County Council has one of the best employee attendance rates in the country, surpassed just marginally by Wicklow when it comes to certified leave and Cavan for uncertified leave.

The percentage of working days lost through uncertified sickness and absenteeism at Clare County Council is at a mere .35 per cent, while certified days lost through certified sickness and absenteeism is at 3.65 per cent.

Eddie Power from the local authorities Human Resource Department believes a newly implemented Attendance Management Policy is playing a significant role in maintaining high attendance levels among the 800 staff members.

“It manages the best possible way the attendance at work, and addresses any major underlining issue staff may have,” he said.

“If there is a pattern of absenteeism we have a policy of sitting down with the person,” he added.

The HR officer said that staff support is in place in the form of a “staff welfare officer” who speaks with people in confidence to discuss any issues they may be having.

Professional counsellors from outside the local authority service are also employed if required by staff members. This service is strictly confidential, he said.

In cases where people may be absent for just one day due to illness, they are also required to sit down with their line manager for a “brief chat”.

“I think the figures here are fairly representative and show a good performance,” said Mr Power.

“We do our best to manage it and give support where need and when required.”

The current Attendance Management Policy was introduced to Clare County Council in 2011.

AFTER months of delegations meeting with ministers, political lobbying and strategic plans drawn up, the Loophead Peninsula was part of the new tourism imitative, the Wild Atlantic way, announced this week.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring (FG) unveiled the final route for the new touring route running from Donegal to Cork, which includes the picturesque and rugged coastline of Clare.

The 2,500km final route was unveiled following a comprehensive public consultation process and includes 156 strategically placed discovery points for tourists along the way. While the route comprises the main spine of the Wild Atlantic Way, a series of looped itineraries off the spine are also planned to further develop the experience for visitors.

This includes a detour to Clare sights such as the Loophead Light- house and the Bridges of Ross.

While new clearer signage is to be erected to accommodate busloads of tourists embarking on the longest coastline drive for tourists in Europe, there are no immediate plans to upgrade the road infrastructure along the Clare part of the route.

The majority of the Clare part of the tour is along the N67, a national primary road, but the route also diversifies on to secondary routes particularly around Fanore.

Senior engineer with Clare County Council Tom Tiernan said that while realignment along the route is desirable, it is not on likely in the near future.

“Significant allocations of the route need significant improvement, but that is not part of any immediate plans,” he said.

He explained the buses and coaches are already using this route, and that the condition of the roads is similar to a lot of other counties along the scenic route.

THE Mol an Óige National School in Ennistymon is hoping to top the charts this summer with the release of a new single and music video aimed at making money to construct a school building.

Parents at the school have set themselves the ambitious challenge of raising the € 2 million needed to construct a new school in Ennistymon. The project has been given the green light by planners at the Department of Education but it could be years or even decades before official funding for the school is forthcoming.

Last month the school’s Parents Association decided to take on the ambitions challenge of raising the € 2 million themselves and have already raised € 4,000. They are hopeful that the song ‘Sroohil’, which was written and recorded by parent Fran Fray and a number of others, will help them in this effort.

The song is available for download on iTunes and Google Play and noted Ennistymon film and documentary maker Fergus Tighe, has also make a music video to go along with it.

“One of the parents, who is a song- writer, came up with an idea for a song. She came down to my house and sang it and then they recorded it at the Courthouse Gallery,” said Stuart Woolley of Mol An Óige.

“The song is totally about the school and the campaign. It is all about asking people to help and all about building the school. The school already has an anthem before it is built. We are hopeful that people will hear the song and think about the cause and building the new school.”

Anyone who wishes to purchase the single can locate it on iTunes or Google Play at a cost of € 2. A small number of physical copies are also being pressed. The campaign is the first time in Ireland that the construction of a large project such as a school has been attempted using online crowd-funding.

“The campaign is going along nicely so far. We got a few large donations in the early days but new seem to get a number of smaller donations every day – which is nice. The campaign has gone international to a certain extent, we have been getting a lot of people getting involved in France, Germany and Australia, as well as in America. Which is great,” continued Stuart.