VEGETABLE FARMERS hit by the recent severe frost are to receive compensation for some of their losses from the Department of Agriculture, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said yesterday.
Mr Smith had been under pressure to aid potato farmers in particular, who claimed through the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) that they had lost €15 million because of the damage to their crops.
Late last year the Minister put forward a €2 million fodder package for cattle on farms which were flooded in November.
The Minister said the latest scheme would provide a limited and targeted financial contribution to certain potato and vegetable growers who suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage.
In accordance with EU state aid rules, assistance would be confined to actual losses, would be conditional on more than 30 per cent of the crop being destroyed and would be subject to limitations on the level of aid provided, he said.
Growers seeking assistance will be required to fill in an application form, and a case-by-case analysis will be carried out on the basis of the information.
The move was welcomed by IFA president John Bryan, who said he was seeking more details on the scheme for farmers who had suffered substantial losses and will need worthwhile aid to help them get back on their feet.
Forms will be available to download from Monday next on the department’s website (agriculture.gov.ie).
They will also be available from the department’s local offices around the country, from Teagasc local offices and from the department’s offices in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
The department’s lo-call number is 1890-252118, and completed forms must be received by February 16th.