Fianna Fáil Agriculture Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue has expressed his disappointment with Minister Michael Creed who is not due to appear before the Agriculture Committee until September.
Deputy McConalogue wrote to the Chair of the Committee earlier this week asking for the Committee to be recalled so that the Agriculture Minister could outline his plans to deal with the impending fodder crisis. A date for the Committee meeting has now been set for September 4.
“I am extremely disappointed that the Committee will not meet until next month, given the seriousness of the situation facing farmers. It is obvious that Minister Creed is completely out of touch with the reality on the ground and is failing to grasp the gravity of the cash flow issues facing farmers the length and breadth of this country,” said McConalogue.
Deputy Charlie McConalogue
“There appears to be no sense of urgency on the part of the Minister. This is exactly what happened last year but farmers will not survive another harsh winter unless a plan is implemented in the coming weeks.”
Spokesperson on Food & Horticulture Jackie Cahill added, “We have laid out a 12 point plan to avert the impending fodder crisis, which was published last month. While the Minister has adopted some of the measures, we need to see him embrace the plan as a whole if we are to prevent a repeat of last winter.
“This meeting needs to be brought forward. There is no time to waste. The Minister must outline his plans so that they can be rolled out without delay.”
