Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thanks be to God it is a lovely day today, but we have had inclement weather since last July now, and all types of farmers and communities are suffering hugely. I welcome the recent fodder package but, as regards cereal farmers, grain farmers and crops, potatoes were not even taken out last year on some farms and none are planted this year. There will be a huge problem with food shortages later in the year. These farmers in horticulture and cereals as well as fodder need a dedicated, targeted package of supports and measures because it is, as was said, well into May now and there are very few crops put in and the winter crops that were in are struggling and suffering with the wet and the constant inclement weather. It is more than the dairy sector being affected. The whole farming sector, especially cereals and horticulture, as well as sheep - the whole lot - is affected by the continuing bad weather.

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