Clare’s Independent TD is calling for a national farm emergency group to be set up to prevent against another fodder crisis in the future.
Dr Michael Harty made his comments during a Dáil Debate on a Fianna Fáil motion calling for greater support for farmers.
The party has described the Government response as to the current crisis as “woeful”, something the Minister for Agriculture denies.
The Minister for Agriculture has rejected opposition claims that the government ignored the fodder crisis until it was too late.
The allegation was made by Fianna Fáil as it proposed a motion looking for a range of extra support for farmers.
It wants a hardship fund introduced, delays to farm inspections, and a new standing committee to ensure the problem doesn’t recur.
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed insists that great efforts are underway to ensure animals get fed.
Clare’s Independent TD has now called on the Minister to come together with Teagasc, Met Éireann, farming organisations and co-ops to form a National Farm Emergency Group.
Dr Michael Harty insists a co-ordinated response to future weather events caused by climate change is needed now, rather than later.
