ICMSA seeks urgent response from all sectors to address farming crisis

THE Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) is seeking an urgent response from all groups involved in the agri-food sector in order to avoid what it fears will be a total disaster for farmers in 2009 due to the recent wet weather and other issues.

ICMSA deputy president John O’Leary said dairy farmers already have had to contend with historically low milk prices, while poor cattle prices and a very expensive spring period have added to the difficulties.

All farming sectors now find themselves facing winter with unpaid bills and inadequate winter fodder, he said, pointing out that this is the second year in a row that farmers have had to deal with very wet conditions.

Mr O’Leary called on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith to review the schemes under his control with a view to assisting farmers through this difficult period.

He said there are huge pressures on farmers at present due to the weather in both financial and farm-management terms.

He also said Mr Smith must implement measures to alleviate some of these pressures and he should do so immediately.

Mr O’Leary also said Teagasc must provide a free advisory service to farmers who are in extreme difficulty due to weather. The banks must also step up to the mark by being extremely flexible in providing credit and allowing loan restructuring/moratoriums without additional interest charges. Mr O’Leary said co-ops must return the maximum possible milk price to their suppliers and should also provide low cost rations to farmers to get them through this winter when fodder supplies are expected to be extremely tight.

Any farmer in difficulty should not suffer in silence and should make their concerns and difficulties known to others who can help.

“In most cases some assistance and solutions can be provided. ICMSA will certainly endeavour to help in any way we can,” he said.