Written answers

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Severe Weather Events

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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738. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide financial assistance to farmers in County Wexford whose property sustained damage during Storm Emma; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12593/18]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Throughout the period of adverse weather conditions caused by storm Emma, my Department was directly involved in a co-ordinated response as a member of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG), convened by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the lead Government Department on Severe Weather Incidents.

While the South and East of the country bore the brunt of the storm and its after effects, many other areas experienced disruptions to daily life and the business of farming to a greater or lesser degree. Because the storm occurred at this time of year it proved particularly disruptive as farmers coped with challenging weather conditions alongside the normal busy workload of Spring: calving and lambing and winter feeding. The key on-farm challenges revolved around preventing the freezing up of water supplies at a critical time for lactating animals, the provision of fodder and shelter to stock against the worst of the snowfall and dangerous conditions for farmyards and environs. Delayed turn-out of some stock is increasing the demand for fodder and accommodation. While recognising that the recent bad weather has impacted on the commencement of Spring grass growth in many areas of the country, I am satisfied that adequate quantities of fodder remain currently available in the country at present.

Throughout this period and immediately afterwards Department staff, together with Teagasc worked at local level to ensure that the farming community had access to the best advice on how to cope with the numerous issues thrown up by the storm. To support those in more immediate difficulties the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine emergency phone line for animal welfare issues remained open and attended at all times. All requests for support were responded to.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the significant assistance the farming community provided within the wider local community at this busy time as they looked in on neighbours, cleared roads and helped to restore access to more remote rural areas.

At sector level my Department worked closely with all stakeholders and with industry to minimise disruption to critical activities including milk collection services. I am happy to be able to report that such major issues were dealt with in the shortest possible time thanks to the coordinated efforts of farmers, industry and my own Department staff.

As the storm abated and the sector slowly returned to normal it became clear that the main problem centred on damage to horticulture and other on-farm structures. Such structures will principally be insured and it is important that insurance companies respond rapidly and flexibly to the needs of their farmers customers. It is important to emphasise that public support cannot be provided for insurable risks.

In order to respond where possible to the issue of structural damage I believe that it is appropriate to recognise supports available through current on-farm investment support schemes operated by my Department and I have asked my officials to examine these in the context of Storm Emma as a matter of urgency. 

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