Sean Conlan welcomes Minister Covenys intervention in farming fodder crisis – 24/04/13

Deputy Sean Conlan has welcomed the intervention of Mr Simon Coveny, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food in the current crisis facing many farmers, who are experiencing severe fodder shortage as a result of the cumulative effects of inclement weather last Summer followed by an extraordinarily extended spell of cold weather into the Spring, both of which have resulted in the reduced availability of animal fodder.

The Minister, Deputy Conlan says, has recognised the importance of credit at this time and in order to ensure that the current economic climate does not cause further hardship he has had crucial meetings with the Banks, insisting that they adopt a flexible approach to short term funding.

The Minister has also assured Deputy Conlan that he is liaising with Co Ops and grain providers to make them aware of the difficulties being experienced and to encourage them to make feeding available on a short term basis.

Deputy Conlan has welcomed local arrangements being organised by farm bodies to identify sources of surplus fodder and to have them distributed to areas of most need. This said the Deputy, is a time for solidarity and while the livestock sector continues to enjoy a positive outlook with prices remaining relatively strong, we must all pull together to ensure that the negative impact of the short term difficulties being currently experienced are minimised in the interest of a strong sector which is providing an area of growth much needed in the present circumstances.