There is early optimism that a fund for flooded farm victims in Donegal could be secured.The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a meeting between IFA officials and the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed in Mullingar to discuss a scheme to aid farmers went very positively.
There is early optimism that a fund for flooded farm victims in Donegal could be secured.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a meeting between IFA officials and the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed in Mullingar to discuss a scheme to aid farmers went very positively.
One of the officials, Donegal IFA chair Michael Chance, described the response from Creed as “reassuring”.
Teagasc report
It is understood that Teagasc is currently in the process of drafting a report which will outline the level of damage in the affected areas. The survey will be done on a farm-to-farm basis.
More than 70 farmers have notified Teagasc about damage to their farm by floods. This number is expected to rise.
Extra Teagasc personnel have also been drafted in to complete the survey of the area.
Ben Wilkinson of Teagasc said that all was being done to get the report completed as soon as possible.
“We are working extensively to ensure all the information is gathered as soon as possible,” he said.
Wilkinson also confirmed that the report is then expected to be sent to the Department of Agriculture for evaluation by the end of this week.
“We would be expecting this report to be sent into the Department by the end of this week. Information will be given to the Department on an ongoing basis however,” he confirmed.
IFA
Donegal IFA chair Michael Chance told the Irish Farmers Journal that he was highly encouraged by Michael Creeds response to their meeting in Mullingar.
“The Minister’s response was very reassuring. He is aware of the problem on the ground, which is a plus,” he said.
“The urgency to get something in place is because we are coming into autumn and farmers want to get their farm set up for spring,” Chance explained.
“This is obviously very early days but it is an encouraging start,” he concluded.
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