Wet summer hits Inishowen farmers 12.07.07

INISHOWEN farmers are being severely hit with the ongoing wet and cold summer. Conditions are so bad in some cases that livestock are being put back indoors with the result that the supply of foodstuffs normally saved for winter, are dwindling.
A local T.D., has urged the Agriculture Minister to pay farmers their Single Farm Payment early this year to alleviate hardship. Deputy Niall Blaney said the summer harvest is now under threat in some areas. “In Donegal and all over the country farmers are seeing a serious disruption to their summer harvest as

a result of the wet weather," he said. “Farmers expect to be getting ready to save hay and make silage in the middle of July, but rain in recent weeks means that their regular seasonal routine has been severely disrupted.” “In some cases farmers have had to put stock back into holdings and feed that would usually be kept over to winter is being exhausted.” He said this would have a knock-on effect on farmers' income for the rest of the year.” “I have asked the Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to consider bringing the Single Farm Payment forward to October or earlier to assist farmers who may need the financial boost at that time. “The Minister told me that she will be investigating the possibility of this and it may be the case that half of the payment will be processed to farmers at that stage, but even that would be a help.” Deputy Blaney said he would continue to make representations on the matter to the Minister. "It is vital that the welfare of farmers is considered in this summer of unusually wet and cold weather,” he added.

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