Extend Fodder Support - IFA Call

Posted on: 29/04/2013

IFA President John Bryan said another week of slow grass growth is expected and this is increasing the stress and cost on farm families, who are coping with difficulty through this unprecedented weather crisis.

John Bryan said the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney�s fodder aid subsidy was a welcome help, but he must now commit to extending it to private merchants and co-op marts, which are importing feed to assist farmers. He said the Minister must also look at extending the closing date beyond next Friday by at least two weeks.

The IFA Executive Council will prioritise a discussion tomorrow (Tues) on further action that is needed to assist farm families through the worst fodder crisis on record. He said, �IFA has established a number of supply links from the UK, which has already sourced 5,000 tonnes of feed. This will be delivered into the country and distributed by co-ops, marts and merchants this week. Farmers are sharing what forage is left here between them, and the IFA branch network is co-ordinating this effort.�

Mr Bryan said IFA is continuing to look for additional sources of forage in the UK and has also sent a delegation to France to investigate the availability of feed supplies there, in the event of the crisis continuing well into May.

John Bryan re-iterated his call on the Minister to bring forward direct payments to help address the severe cashflow problems on farms as a result of the ten months of dreadful weather. The Minister must also ensure there is flexibility in relation to stocking rates criteria for eligibility for the Disadvantaged Areas scheme.


OTHER FARMING NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF 04/2013

  • 25/04/2013 - Food Crisis - Farmers Need Support
    IFA has requested that the banks assist their farmer customers by offering medium-term loans, which will allow them to spread the repayment of the additional costs they have incurred due to the weather and fodder crisis over a sustainable time period.
  • 25/04/2013 - All Marts in Ireland
    We would like your help in completing our Marts Map of Ireland. FarmersForum.ie have commenced producing an easy to use location map of All Marts in Ireland and would appreciate your feedback in proof reading it for us, and letting us know any marts we have not yet included or corrections to details or locations.
  • 24/04/2013 - Farmers at Breaking Point
    IFA President John Bryan has appealed to all those in the wider agricultural community to keep in touch with farm families, many of whom are at breaking point because of the unrelenting fodder crisis. He said the pressure had, unfortunately, led to a number of tragedies across the country.
  • 22/04/2013 - Irish Cattle Genetics Scientist Honoured
  • 18/04/2013 - Fodder Crisis demands more action
    IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey said the response from the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to the unprecedented fodder crisis is totally inadequate, and he called on the Minister to come forward with a package of measures to alleviate the real hardship and financial stress on the worst affected farms.
  • 16/04/2013 - ICSA Beef prices 8 April 2013
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  • 16/04/2013 - Wean calves early and sell them...
  • 15/04/2013 - Food Crisis assessment
    IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey has appealed to farmers with surplus fodder, including straw, to make it available to their neighbours who need feed urgently to get them through the next number of days until grass arrives.