Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called on the Minister for Agriculture to visit the West of Ireland without delay in order to see at first-hand the actual extent of the “fodder crisis.”
Deputy Fitzmaurice said that he has been contacted by various farming groups over the past couple of weeks about the severe shortage of fodder, particularly in the West of Ireland.
“Minister Michael Creed needs to come down to the West and see for himself the problems that farmers are having” Deputy Fitzmaurice said.
He added: “I have been informed that Leitrim, parts of Donegal, Roscommon, Galway and Mayo have been badly affected. The Minister needs to visit the area to evaluate the situation and to see what measures can be put in place to assist affected farmers. I am aware that there may be extra fodder in some parts of the country but the cost of haulage would be substantial.
“Farmers will have to assess whether paying over the odds for silage is the best move, or whether using meal along with silage might prove to be a cheaper option. Farmers should talk to their planners to ensure that they have a balanced diet for their stock and work out what is the best option for them.”
Deputy Fitzmaurice pledged to raise the matter by way of a Parliamentary Question which he is issuing to Minister Creed.
