Farmers’ hopes raised by help from department and co-ops

Farmers have welcomed the commitment by dairy co-ops and the Department of Agriculture to substantially increase the volume of fodder imports over the short-to-medium term.

The co-ops have also agreed to consider the introduction of interest-free credit, within limits, to farmers to buy fertiliser, limited to the month of May.

Viewed in tandem with the department’s €1m fund towards transport costs for imported fodder, farmers are becoming more hopeful about their situation. “These efforts will help thousands of farmers through this difficult time,” said Macra president Alan Jagoe. “The banks, co-ops, and merchants must work with farmers. We must avoid any tragedies as farmers are struggling to cope with the ongoing fodder shortage.