Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Page 108 of the programme for Government states that the development of the agriculture and food sector is a fundamental priority and that the priority for agriculture is rewarding farmers for high quality produce. The beef sector is currently in deep crisis and, of course, the factors that have added to this are factory prices, the current Brexit scenario and currency fluctuations, in addition to the proposed reduction in the CAP budget. Beef farmers the length and breath of this State are experiencing serious financial losses and the 5 cent per kilo drop for beef last week has impacted further on an already bad situation. In my constituency, there are farmers in Laois and Offaly struggling to pay household bills and in great hardship. What actions and interventions, apart from the newly announced loan scheme for businesses and farmers, will be put in place to assist our farming families, particularly in the beef sector, who are experiencing great financial hardship at this time?

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