5 January 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Ahead of this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting, IFA Flood Project Chairman Tom Turley said the Government must establish a flooding fund for farmers to deal with the losses they have incurred as a result of the recent flooding.
Tom Turley said the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney must make a strong case for farmers at the Cabinet table to address the hardship endured by farm families as a result of the prolonged flooding.
Already, 100 farmers have availed of emergency fodder from a list compiled as a result of the Teagasc and Department of Agriculture assessment of flood damage and losses. Tom Turley encouraged farmers who have suffered losses to make contact with IFA, Teagasc or their local Department of Agriculture office.
Tom Turley also called for all outstanding payments – Basic Payment, ANC, GLAS, AEOS, Beef Data – to be paid out immediately. Some of those waiting for payments are in flooded areas.