State-funded sickness scheme urged to bring Irish farmers in line with Europe

A STATE-supported accident and sickness scheme is being sought for farmers.

Farm Relief Services chairman Pat McAuliffe, who called for the development, said farmers should be entitled to receive the same Government support for sickness and accidents as their European counterparts.

“Many European countries, such as Holland, France and Denmark, have state-funded relief programmes in place for farmers,” Mr McAuliffe said.