The farmyard relocation scheme provided for by the OPW should be implemented and Teagasc should set up fodder clinics for farmers affected by the current flooding, the IFA’s Pat Murphy has said.
The Connacht chair said that the forecast into the weekend is not good, with more rain to fall in areas that are already saturated.
“It will add to the pressure that farmers are experiencing as they work to keep their livestock safe,” he said.
Murphy has put forward four actions to provide practical support to farmers:
Implement the farmyard relocation scheme provided by the OPW and administered by the Department of Agriculture.Fast-track of relief works at pinch points, with increased funding.Teagasc to set up clinics in the worst-affected areas that would identify farmers who need fodder and set up a scheme to deliver the fodder.Support services to safeguard the mental health of those affected by flooding.Farmyard relocation
“Farmers don’t realise that a relocation scheme exists. The Department has to increase awareness of the scheme so that farmers with flooded farmyards can apply,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal that a study to determine the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for voluntary farm building relocation is being undertaken.
“The Department has evaluated a range of at-risk farmyards, impacted by flooding, to see if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect farm buildings at risk of flooding and is currently considering this evaluation,” the spokesperson said.
Relief work
Relief works have to be carried out in a manner that alleviates the problem at the pinch points, but doesn’t affect landowners further down the river, Murphy continued.
“These are the priorities at the moment to get us through this phase. In the longer term, the authorities have to identify a co-ordinated plan that avoids the severe disruption that farmers and householders have had to endure,” he said.
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Watch: farmer frustration as thousands of acres flood
Over 50ac of one farm submerged by floodwaters
The farmyard relocation scheme provided for by the OPW should be implemented and Teagasc should set up fodder clinics for farmers affected by the current flooding, the IFA’s Pat Murphy has said.
The Connacht chair said that the forecast into the weekend is not good, with more rain to fall in areas that are already saturated.
“It will add to the pressure that farmers are experiencing as they work to keep their livestock safe,” he said.
Murphy has put forward four actions to provide practical support to farmers:
Implement the farmyard relocation scheme provided by the OPW and administered by the Department of Agriculture.Fast-track of relief works at pinch points, with increased funding.Teagasc to set up clinics in the worst-affected areas that would identify farmers who need fodder and set up a scheme to deliver the fodder.Support services to safeguard the mental health of those affected by flooding.Farmyard relocation
“Farmers don’t realise that a relocation scheme exists. The Department has to increase awareness of the scheme so that farmers with flooded farmyards can apply,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal that a study to determine the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for voluntary farm building relocation is being undertaken.
“The Department has evaluated a range of at-risk farmyards, impacted by flooding, to see if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect farm buildings at risk of flooding and is currently considering this evaluation,” the spokesperson said.
Relief work
Relief works have to be carried out in a manner that alleviates the problem at the pinch points, but doesn’t affect landowners further down the river, Murphy continued.
“These are the priorities at the moment to get us through this phase. In the longer term, the authorities have to identify a co-ordinated plan that avoids the severe disruption that farmers and householders have had to endure,” he said.
Read more
Slurry problems to continue as more rain due
Storm Jorge: between 30mm and 50mm of rain with 130km/h winds forecast
Watch: farmer frustration as thousands of acres flood
Over 50ac of one farm submerged by floodwaters
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