Torture to watch livestock die for want of fodder’

A dairy farmer yesterday spoke of the “mental torture” of watching cattle starve to death.

Declan Hurley, who is also a county councillor in Cork, said many people outside of farming do not realise the raw emotions facing farmers in the dairy and beef industries.

“Farmers have a duty of care towards their animals and when they can’t feed them, they feel they have failed. It’s very mentally draining for farmers, it’s a torture to watch livestock die for want of fodder,” said the West Cork-based Independent councillor.

“What many people don’t realise is the raw emotion on the ground. Farmers bond with their livestock and animals respond.

“For people who don’t realise, it’s like having a pet cat or dog and being forced to watch it starve to death or have it put down.”

Earlier this week, he courageously revealed his financial difficulties as a farmer and the plight of having seven of his cattle die from starvation.

“I had to tell my own personal story to get the message across. It’s not nice washing your dirty linen, as such, in public, but many farmers are in a similar position to me. As a public representative, I feel I had to highlight the crisis — because, at this stage, it’s about saving lives, human lives.

“By speaking out, it has got people talking and hopefully people and neighbours will look out for each other.

“There are some farmers with fodder to spare and they may not realise the dire consequences their neighbours are facing. It’s like the loaves and fishes, maybe some farmers will have enough to spare to help out others.”

Mr Hurley said many people are under “tremendous stress and anxiety”.

“I spoke out in the hope it would help to save someone’s life. I’m hoping people would make an effort to look out for and care for farmers that may be in difficulty.

“A big issue is rural isolation. It’s great if you have a wife or husband to turn to and share the burden but, in farming, there’s a high percentage of bachelors.”

In Cork’s County Hall, last Monday, Dunmanway- based Mr Hurley divulged personal details of his financial difficulties and the fact he had no fodder for his herd.

“I owe AIB €102,000. I owe Lisavaird Co-op €20,000 and have no credit left with them.

“I’ve gone to another co-op and got a line of credit off them which is now heading for €10,000. I still haven’t been able to pay for my silage from last year. The bank offered to give me €5,000 but wanted it back in 30 days’ time. I can’t do that.”

He said yesterday: “Since that disclosure and the publicity, the phone has not stopped ringing. People have commended me for highlighting the difficulties many farmers are facing.

“It’s still tough going. There has been an improvement in the weather as well as grass growth but things are still dire.

“I wasn’t trying to seek sympathy for my own situation but to highlight the bigger picture.

“The Government tells us now there is help coming but the problem is it’s too little, too late.

“People in the know — the department and the farm organisations — completely ignored the warning signs going off.”