Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway, Eugene Murphy is calling on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to establish a fund for affected farmers.
Deputy Murphy says many farmers in his area have been left facing a chronic fodder shortage following another wet summer.
Fianna Fáil has tabled a special topical debate in the Dáil, to emphasise the urgency of the issue.
“Small farmers throughout counties Galway and Roscommon are suffering at the moment as many fields have been left waterlogged and they are unable to get a second cut of silage after a very wet summer. Farmers have been forced to move animals indoors earlier than usual which means they are using up fodder which would have normally been saved for the winter months and this means they are facing the reality of a serious fodder shortage.
“This Government is out of touch with the reality of life for small farmers in rural Ireland and things are now reaching crisis points in the west and other counties. Farmers in other parts of the country recognise the pressure their counterparts are under and are helping out by providing fodder banks. While this is appreciated, it is the job of Government to provide a scheme to assist these farmers.
“Minister Creed needs to face up to the reality of this situation, and it is vital that the Department of Agriculture establishes an aid fund to help farmers with the impending fodder crisis during the winter months.”
