A welcome has been given by Co Tipperary TD Noel Coonan to the decision by the Agriculture Minister to subsidise the transport of fodder being sourced in the UK. The decision was made in response to a long winter and resultant poor growth which is causing difficulties for many farmers.
The subsidy will go toward the costs incurred by co-ops in transporting the fodder into Ireland, which Deputy Noonan said will ensure the feed becomes available to farmers at cost price.
However the subsidy the minister is providing to the co-ops has come too late according to a number of farming organisations.
Speaking to Tipperary Mid West Radio, Dermot Kelleher, the ICMSA suckler Chairman said that the minister waited too long to provide the funding which he also described as being inadequate. He also suggested that the minister should give the go-ahead to fast track other payments which are due to farmers this year.
The Department of Agriculture announced today an emergency telephone number for farmers who cannot feed their livestock. It will be monitored untill midnight seven days a week during the crisis. The helpline is 1850 221 1990 or (01) 607 2379
