ICSA president Sean McNamara has said Minister McConalogue must act immediately to support farmers who are suffering enormously – both mentally and financially – due to the persistent bad weather. “Farmers across the country are facing immense challenges as a result of the severe wet weather conditions, with both their mental and financial well-being at stake. The Minister needs to listen to farmers, and he needs to offer support now,” he said.

“For low-income beef, sheep, suckler, and tillage farmers in particular, it is hard to keep everything ticking over at the best of times, but at the moment, it is next to impossible. Fodder reserves are depleting at an alarming rate, and the financial strain is mounting. Farmers have shown great resilience up to this point, but that resilience is waning.”

Mr. McNamara said the situation is made even worse by the refusal of the Department of Agriculture to offer farmers financial support thus far. “Farmers feel abandoned at the moment. The prolonged winter and financial strain have pushed many farmers to their breaking point. There are a lot of stressed farmers out there, and many are feeling a sense of hopelessness.”

Mr. McNamara said he is urging the Minister to use tomorrow's (Tuesday, April 9) convening of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) to finally address the issue of financial support for farmers. “At the last sitting of the NFFSC, Department of Agriculture officials stated that there is no funding available to assist farmers. They simply cannot come with that same message tomorrow. Farmers need help, and they need it now.”

As well as urgent financial aid for the purchase of meal and transportation of fodder, Mr. McNamara also called on the Minister to expedite the release of all outstanding farm scheme payments. “At the very least, the Minister needs to ensure that any outstanding payments to farmers are expedited. Any monies owed to farmers must be paid without any more excuses.”