Every cent of the extra €25m for the Areas of Constraint (ANC) scheme must be directed at farmers in the west.This was the message from Pat Gilhooly, vice-chair of IFA’s rural development committee and former Leitrim chair.
Every cent of the extra €25m for the Areas of Constraint (ANC) scheme must be directed at farmers in the west.
This was the message from Pat Gilhooly, vice-chair of IFA’s rural development committee and former Leitrim chair.
“We are seeing a desperate shortage of silage right now. This isn’t something that might be a problem next spring or might not materialise at all. It’s happening right now and we are battling to keep the heads above water,” he said.
A further €25m has been allocated to next year’s ANC budget. The Department of Agriculture has yet to decide how it will allocate this.
Gilhooly is adamant farmers in the west, especially those on heavy land and who struggled to get silage cut, are most in need.
“It has been winter since July around Leitrim, south Donegal, north Roscommon, north Longford and west Cavan. These farmers struggle to get silage cut in a good year and therefore are the most deserving of any extra money.”
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