The possibility of aid for farmers to help them through the winter following the unprecedented wet growing conditions this summer is being explored by the North¿s Minister of Agriculture Ms Brid Rodgers.
Ms Rodgers, however, said any case that she might take to Brussels seeking approval to provide weather aid must be based on concrete evidence of the losses incurred.
An assessment of losses could not be made until after the end of the growing season. But she said her officials had already arranged to meet key European Commission personnel in the autumn to explore what may be possible under the strict state aid rules laid down by Brussels.
Any money would have to be found from within existing resources in Northern Ireland - where there were many competing demands - and Ms Rodgers said she had already alerted Finance Minister Mr Sean Farren to the difficulties of the industry and would be writing to Executive colleagues.
"I am acutely aware of the on-going difficulties being faced by farmers and growers and recognise that the winter ahead will pose very significant difficulties for some," she said.
A formal request was being made to the EU Commission this week to secure agreement for an increase in the level of advance cattle premium payments to help the cashflow of livestock farmers.
The news came as the minister announced the launch of Winter Management Options, a further initiative to help farmers and growers cope with the problems of the results of the wet growing season.
The initiative will provide a series of targeted local events to give farmers and growers details of research and technical information to help them cope with the potential fodder shortages and poor fodder quality this coming winter.