Over 130 farmers apply for emergency flood damage relief measure

According to the Department of Agriculture, over 130 farmers have applied to the most recent of its flooding relief schemes, the Emergency Flood Damage Relief Measure.

Amy Nora Fitzgibbon

23 February 2016

Over 130 farmers apply for emergency flood damage relief measure

Mike Cunning moving sodden baled silage on his farm at Clonbunny, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

This scheme, the second flooding relief measure implemented by the Department in response to the severe flooding of December 2015 and January 2016, closed for applications on Friday 12 February. Over 130 farmers applied for the scheme, which compensates farmers for direct costs arising where livestock was lost to the floods, rental costs incurred where livestock had to be moved off farms, and flood damage to agricultural structures and fittings.

This scheme, the second flooding relief measure implemented by the Department in response to the severe flooding of December 2015 and January 2016, closed for applications on Friday 12 February.

Over 130 farmers applied for the scheme, which compensates farmers for direct costs arising where livestock was lost to the floods, rental costs incurred where livestock had to be moved off farms, and flood damage to agricultural structures and fittings.

Applicants made claims under all three categories, according to the Department.

The Department adds that eligibility checks are currently being carried out on the applications.

As far as payment under this scheme is concerned, the Department says it is “not possible to estimate how much money will be spent as most applications describe what is being claimed for but are not required to include an estimate on the cost.

"The cost will be determined when the eligibility checks and the on-farm verification procedure have been completed,” it said.

Fodder Aid scheme

Meanwhile, the Department has confirmed receipt of 377 applications to the first flooding relief scheme Fodder Aid scheme, which closed for applications on 22 January.

This €2m scheme compensates farmers for direct replacement costs in instances where genuine damage to silage, hay, concentrates or straw has been caused by the flooding.

Payments totalling over €600,000 have been paid to date, according to the Department, while on-farm verification is ongoing to confirm the quantities of fodder lost due to the flooding.

Reaction

Tom Turley, IFA Flood Project Chairman, has called for the Emergency Flood Damage Relief Measure to be extended to include those farmers who have suffered crop losses as a result of the recent flooding. He has also called on the early payment of all farmers who have applied for the Fodder Aid Scheme and the Emergency Flood Damage Relief Measure.

"The eligibility checks of these applicants must be concluded without further delay as farmers have to buy alternative feed for their animals," said Turley.

Full coverage: flooding