Following the announcement in the Republic of Ireland that the Government is proposing to introduce a Scheme to provide some compensation for frost damage in January to potatoes and vegetables, the Ulster Farmers’ Union are reiterating their call to Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew to assess the level of crop damage caused and to consider providing a similar support package for the Northern Ireland growers who were affected by the severe weather.
Speaking after the ROI announcement, the UFU’s Potato and Vegetable Committee Chairmen, Adrian Jamison and Robin McKee both highlighted that the UFU had written to the Minister on 14th January to outline the concern amongst members over potentially losing their crops and the devastating impact the freezing weather conditions had on both potato and vegetable harvesting in Northern Ireland.
“At that time, we specifically asked the Minister to provide her Department’s help to quantify the degree of damage on the ground. However we have not yet had any response. In light of the developments in the ROI, we are calling on our Minister to urgently begin the process of assessing the level of crop damage which resulted from this severe period of frost. Many farmers have been hit badly by this crisis and we need our Government’s support.”