Call for food security committee to meet over dry weather
President of the IFA Francie Gorman has called for the National Fodder and Food Security Committee to reconvene for a meeting on the situation over animal feed in the country.
The President of the Irish Farmers Association, Francie Gorman, has urged the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) to reconvene to discuss the impact of the hot, dry weather on animal feed in Ireland. During an appearance on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Gorman expressed concerns that the lack of rain over the past two months could force farmers to exhaust their winter food stocks prematurely.
While acknowledging there is no current shortage of food for animals, Gorman highlighted the unprecedented lack of rainfall and the significant cost issue faced by dry stock farms, which have experienced a tough harvest. He emphasized that farmers are now entering a period of winter feed mode, placing a substantial burden on them as they had hoped for a respite.
Gorman called for the NFFSC to assess the situation and implement proactive measures to address the issue, stressing the need for a publicized proper assessment and potential fodder movement from one location to another. He also advocated for backing the European Commission's fertiliser action plan to provide a buffer for farmers' cash flow, as some farmers may struggle to afford fodder due to soaring prices.
Gorman acknowledged the farming industry's 40% contribution to emissions and the sector's limited heavy industry to offset these emissions. Despite the challenges, he affirmed the industry's commitment to meeting emission targets and implementing measures at farm level to address climate change.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
