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Collins wants EU aid for grain farmers

December 7th, 2016 8:09 AM

By Southern Star Team

TD Michael Collins

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Cork South West TD Michael Collins has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, to seek compensation from the EU for our struggling grain farmers. 

CORK South West TD Michael Collins has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, to seek compensation from the EU for our struggling grain farmers. 

He said that ‘this has been the most difficult grain harvest in the past 30 years and many grain farmers face ruination.’ He added: ‘the bad weather, coupled with the low prices of grain in the world market, and the high input costs, such as the cost of fertiliser and sprays, means that the situation has reached crisis point for many grain farmers. 

‘Many farmers have lost in the region of €200 to €250 per acre this year’ said Mr Collins, pointed out that ‘2016 is the fourth year in a row that many grain farmers are trading at a loss.’ Over the past four years, the amount of land in cereal production has dropped by 100,000 acres, and that is predicted to fall by a further 67,000 acres in 2017, our whole farming sector is suffering from low prices and the Deputy said that ‘the government must step up and support our farmers as without support farmers will not survive.’

French farmers have experienced similar problems with grain this year and their government is seeking compensation from the EU, Michael Collins said that the Irish government needs to do the same. The IFA has already made a case to Europe on providing compensation to struggling grain farmers. 

Deputy Collins supports this and has asked that the our Minister for Agriculture and our government give strong support. He has also written to our Ireland South constituency MEPs seeking support. 

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