EU Relief Funding For Farmers A Drop In The Ocean

While I welcome the funding announced this week at EU level for the dairy sector, it is just a drop in the ocean and will not have any affect on the long terms issues facing farmers in that sector. Five hundred million euro is a substantial sum but when it is divided among 28 members states it is not a lot. There is also pressure coming on to farmers in the beef sector because the big meat firms are “at it again” dropping prices in the sector. The Department and the Minister will have to keep a close eye on what is going on because it is imperative that the beef, suckler and sheep sectors remain viable along with the other small family farm units. This is a matter that I will be following up on over the next couple of weeks.