Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned by newspaper reports that co-operatives and others dealing with farmers will reintroduce a 1% levy per month on debts owing to them. Farmers have experienced a difficult winter and spring and run up large debts. I understand where the co-operatives are coming from, but farmers should not be burdened further by adding a 1% levy to their debts. It is important that we work with them. We must encourage them to use their banks wherever possible. We only have a month or six weeks to avert a crisis next winter; therefore, everybody must work closely with Teagasc and the farming organisations to make sure farmers are advised and have sufficient fodder for next winter and encourage them to deal with their banks rather than being subject a 1% levy by co-operatives on money owed to them.