DONEGAL TD Charlie McConalogue TD has welcomed the early issuance of the GLAS balancing payment – but warns there is more to do.
McConalogue is the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He says that the Government and the EU must do more to support farmers during the public health emergency.
“I had repeatedly called on Minister Creed to bring forward the date of the GLAS balancing payment,”
Deputy McConalogue said.
“I welcome last night’s announcement that the payment will be issued early. It will come as a relief to many farmers experiencing cash flow problems.
“However, much more action is needed to support the sector. There has been little action from Minister Creed at national level or from the EU Commission. The level of urgency shown in reacting to this unprecedented public health emergency is very disappointing.”
Payments worth in excess of €26m are being brought forward. A total of 42,300 farmers – 87 per cent of this in the scheme – will see money hit their accounts early next week.
Deputy McConalogue said: “Minister Creed needs to engage with the EU Commission on behalf of Irish farmers to seek emergency aid for those in the sector.
“Supports should be forthcoming from Europe and it should not be taking repeated calls for those supports to arrive.
“We also need to see aid to private storage measures introduced from Europe without delay in order to stabilise meat and dairy prices over the coming weeks.
“Like every other sector farming has been significantly affected by the global pandemic. The response from Government has not been what is required. Minister Creed needs to ramp up his engagement with European Officials on behalf of Irish farmers.”
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