Ongoing poor weather 'placing farmers under serious pressure'
IFA deputy president Alice Doyle said that the level of rainfall "has made it impossible to move livestock; planting and sowing is way behind; and bills are mounting as farmers struggle to keep on top of their work".
Ongoing weather conditions are placing farmers under "serious pressure and adding to stress levels for families", the Irish Farmers' Association has warned.
IFA deputy president Alice Doyle said that the level of rainfall "has made it impossible to move livestock; planting and sowing is way behind; and bills are mounting as farmers struggle to keep on top of their work".
St Patrick’s Day is seen as a turning point in the farming calendar, but ground is saturated due to wet conditions that stretch back to the middle of last year, Ms Doyle said.
She has appealed to everybody in the sector who interacts with farmers to take this into account and to give whatever support they can.
“For the Department of Agriculture, it could mean stepping down inspections for the moment and also redoubling their efforts to ensure the timely payment of funds from farm schemes. Any change to terms and conditions that allows maximum flexibility should also be considered," Ms Doyle continued.
Processors and banks also have a role to play, she said.
“Every cent that’s in the marketplace has to make its way back to farmers. Banks should apply leniency for anybody who’s battling to meet repayments," Ms Doyle added.
The forecast for this week won't instill much hope.
Met Éireann has said that frequent showers will develop towards Tuesday evening, some of which will turn heavy with the chance of an isolated thunderstorm.
More persistent rain will develop in the south later. Tonight will be a wet night, with widespread and occasionally heavy showers at first.
Rain and drizzle in the south will spread northwards across much of the country overnight.
There will be a cloudy start to Wednesday, with rain over the eastern half of the country.
Thursday will be a dull day with patchy rain and drizzle spreading eastwards across the country in the morning.
Another band of rain will push into the west and northwest through the afternoon and evening but it will turn drier elsewhere.
Outbreaks of rain will spread southeastwards early in the night, with clear spells and isolated showers following from the northwest.
Friday will be a blustery day with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Some showers may be heavy with a chance of hail.
Saturday will be windy with showers and some sunny spells. Some heavy showers are possible with the continued chance of hail.
Current indications suggest that showers will become more scattered on Sunday with longer dry spells. However, further rain and showers will spread from the west next week.
