Flooded Farmers To Receive Emergency Supplies

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is to begin an operation to get emergency supplies of animal fodder to farmers in areas worst hit by the recent flooding.

Areas of County Galway are still dealing with heavily flooded fields, leaving cattle without food. The Association said farmers living in other parts of Ireland have been sending truck loads of hay and silage to collection and distribution points which have been opened in Galway and County Offaly.

The IFA announced today that the fodder would be brought to Gort, Ballinasloe and Banagher and distributed through the IFA branch structure to farmers who urgently needed fodder for their livestock.

According to a statement released by the association this morning, sufficient fodder has been sourced in the short term to help those worst affected by the flooding. IFA President Padraig Walshe thanked those from around the country who have generously provided and offered fodder. “Throughout the winter, the fodder problem may deepen and a more concerted effort could be needed, utilising the full 947 branches of the IFA,” he said.

The IFA office in Athenry is co-ordinating the assistance through the various IFA branches with IFA branch officers and a team of staff keeping in touch with farmers whose farmyards and sheds have been flooded.

According to the IFA there has been a "phenomenal response" to the plight of farmers who have found themselves and their animals marooned in floodwater.

The first of the fodder will be distributed to farms in the Ardrahan area of Co Galway later this morning.

Flood levels in South Galway remain critically high and the main N18 Limerick to Galway road is still under 3m of water at Kiltartan - forcing traffic to make long and difficult detours.

(DW/KMcA)