3 December 1998 Edition
O Caoláin calls for action on fodder crisis
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin participated in an IFA-sponsored farm tour of North County Monaghan on Tuesday in conjunction with County Council colleague Brian McKenna. The purpose of the visit was to assess first hand the crisis facing farm families as a result of inadequate supply and poor quality of hay and silage due to the disastrous weather conditions throughout 1998.
O Caoláin said recently announced government measures were inadequate: ``Not since 1985 have farmers faced such a fodder crisis. The recently unveiled fodder scheme falls far short of what is required. The total exclusion of all of County Monaghan and the inclusion of only a small part of County Cavan in this scheme flies in the face of the facts. We must question the criteria employed in the selection of those areas included for qualification as it is apparent to all objective observers that the farming communities of Counties Monaghan and Cavan have been universally affected by this disastrous year, resulting in poor yield for winter feed.
``I demand on behalf of the farming families of Counties Cavan and Monaghan that Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh wake up to this reality and tke the vital steps needed to relieve the crisis.
O Caoláin said recently announced government measures were inadequate: ``Not since 1985 have farmers faced such a fodder crisis. The recently unveiled fodder scheme falls far short of what is required. The total exclusion of all of County Monaghan and the inclusion of only a small part of County Cavan in this scheme flies in the face of the facts. We must question the criteria employed in the selection of those areas included for qualification as it is apparent to all objective observers that the farming communities of Counties Monaghan and Cavan have been universally affected by this disastrous year, resulting in poor yield for winter feed.
``I demand on behalf of the farming families of Counties Cavan and Monaghan that Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh wake up to this reality and tke the vital steps needed to relieve the crisis.