ICSA president Sean McNamara has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, to suspend non-essential farm inspections until April 22. “This move, at least, signals an acknowledgment from the Department of Agriculture regarding the significant challenges farmers are facing due to adverse weather conditions. However, we also want an assurance that any inspections that do go ahead will take these adverse conditions into account,” he said.

On the issue of fodder shortages, Mr McNamara said, “While Teagasc have reported that there is enough fodder to go around our members on the ground are reporting a starkly different reality. A lot of farmers are having huge difficulties sourcing the fodder they need, which is of a decent quality, is at a price they can afford, and that they can afford to transport. It really is a dire situation out there.

While we also appreciate the Minister’s engagement with the financial institutions to address cash flow issues, the need for meaningful and accessible financial assistance has not gone away. On the contrary, it is now more urgent than ever. The need is real, and it is immediate.”

Mr McNamara said news that the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) will reconvene next week is welcome but said the meeting should be an in-person one. “At last week’s meeting of the NFFSC - which took place online - ICSA and the other farming organisations were told that no financial assistance would be forthcoming. It is completely unacceptable to abandon farmers in such a time of need; it is even more unacceptable to do so over an online meeting. What we need is real engagement that will result in real financial aid for farmers put on the table.”