Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what support he will be making available to farmers who have been adversely affected by the recent persistent heavy rainfall due to its impact on crops and livestock. [Priority Written]
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: I am acutely aware that this year’s very wet and late Spring is presenting challenges for farmers operating in almost every sector within the industry. Although there is no adverse weather financial support currently available for farmers, I have written to the UK Government about the need for central government intervention and I intend to raise this for discussion at the next meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Meanwhile, my officials in the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) continue to monitor the situation very closely, maintaining contact with stakeholders and farmers across the range of sectors within the industry. CAFRE technical specialists are also providing advice to local farmers on the management of their farming operations in expectation of improving weather conditions in the coming days.
ENDS
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