Minister announces compensation scheme for potato growers

A SCHEME to provide some compensation for damage caused to potatoes and vegetables by last month’s severe frost was announced yesterday by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith.

The scheme will provide a limited and targeted financial contribution to certain potato and vegetable growers who suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage.

In accordance with European Union state aid rules, aid will be confined to actual losses.

It will be conditional on more than 30% of the crop being destroyed and will be subject to limitations on the level of aid.

Mr Smith said following a preliminary assessment of the crop losses caused by the very severe frost, he was happy to proceed with a limited scheme.

This was aimed at making a contribution to individual growers who, despite good crop management practices, have incurred substantial losses relative to the scale of their farming enterprise.

Growers who wish to be considered for financial assistance will be required to complete a crop damage assessment form.

Eligibility for assistance will be determined by an analysis on a case by case basis of the information provided by the grower.

The objective of the analysis is to establish not only the losses but also the impact of such losses on the grower’s overall enterprise. Eligible growers will be required to demonstrate that the potatoes and vegetables were damaged by frost and the extent of that damage.

Mr Smith urged those growers, who are directly affected, to complete and submit the crop damage assessment form without delay.

Only growers who submit this form will be considered for compensation under the scheme.

The form will be available from next Monday on the department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie and at its local offices or at Teagasc local offices.