Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I want to associate myself with the remarks made on the atrocity that happened in Texas.

I wish to raise an issue in relation to farmers. Last Monday at 7 p.m., I met with over 300 farmers at an event organised by the Galway Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, in my own parish in Corofin. It was organised by Mr. Stephen Canavan, chairman of the Galway IFA. The mood of farmers at the event was one of genuine concern and fear for the future of farming as a result of the unprecedented increase in input costs, such as that of fertiliser, feedstuff and fuel. Farmers are also aware that they have no control over the price they will get for their products at the end of the day. They are price takers. The feeling among farmers is that they are extremely concerned that they have to endure these increasing costs. They are worried. There is an acknowledgement that supports have been provided by the Government and some of these supports have been very welcome. However, there is a delay in the rolling out of the silage support scheme, which is causing farmers to be stressed. One of the questions that at least 15 farmers asked me last night was where they apply for the scheme and what criteria apply. There seems to be no information available to them. They also raised the issue of the European crisis reserve fund. There is no clarity and farmers have told me that it is just another announcement without money actually being provided. The message from farmers is that there is a crisis.

We are almost finished the month of May, which is the best growing season for grass. What is happening is that farmers have bought their fertiliser and inputs. Credit is very tight for all involved. Effectively, farmers are not seeing the result of these supports coming to them. It is important that farmers get that support now. Farmers need the support to come directly to them. This is an issue that will affect every citizen in the country, because farming is all about food production. If we cannot produce the food efficiently and make it available, everybody will be affected by it. If there is a shortage of food at the end of the day, if we do not have the feedstuff to feed our stock at the end of the year, what will happen? What will farmers do? I have met farmers who have not bought any fertiliser this year. They are relying on nature to grow grass for them to feed their stock. What will happen next winter? I am not so sure. It is a crisis. It is okay to have announcements. However, we need to take effective action and ensure there is clarity for farmers so they know where they are going to get the money, and when they will get it. The exceptional temporary support scheme was announced last week which talks about bringing money forward from Europe to pay it out. However, effectively, payments will not be made until next year. Farmers and agriculture contractors cannot wait that long.

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