IFA plea to start fodder aid scheme inspections for flood-hit farmers

THE Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been urged to start inspections under the Fodder Aid Scheme immediately.

Farmers who have lost fodder as a result of the recent flooding in the west, mid-west and other parts of the country are the focus of the scheme.

A delegation from the Irish Farmers’ Association met with department officials in Athlone to discuss the mechanics of the scheme.

IFA Connacht vice president Michael Silke, who led the delegation, said it was vital the scheme operates in an efficient and flexible way so that support can be made before Christmas.

“The €2m available to the scheme must not be a barrier to support and if more funding is required then it must be provided,” he said.

Mr Silke said the Government must seek aid from the EU Solidarity Fund where there is structural damage to buildings, land, roadways, fencing and machinery.

IFA Rural Development Committee chairman Tom Turley urged the department to forgo all other inspections for single farm payment, disadvantaged areas rural environment protection schemes and to make all outstanding payments due.

Any problem case, which has already been identified, must also be dealt with without delay, he said. Mr Turley said the second tranche of 40%, due under the farm waste management scheme, should be paid out to any farmer owed grant aid in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Jackie Cahill, president, told the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association annual general meeting in Limerick yesterday flooding has highlighted again a major weakness in our essential infrastructure – the curse of multi-agencies with overlapping powers and no responsibility.

“The Government must learn from this repeated occurrence and give authority to one agency with clear guidelines and responsibility to undertake flood prevention and relief measures.