Farmers facing significant losses following Storm Emma

IFA President Joe Healy visited farms in the south-east, which were particularly badly impacted by the effects of Storm Emma, last week.

He said farmers are starting to take stock of the damage caused by Storm Emma.

“While the storm itself has moved on, farmers are now coming to terms with the impact of the weather at farm level. This storm came at the worst possible time with calving and lambing in full swing” Joe Healy said

The IFA President said farmers are facing very severe damage to their farms and farm buildings as well as losses of stock. In addition, the very poor weather will have a negative impact on grass growth and put pressure on already tight fodder supplies.

Joe Healy said farmers are worried in relation to sheep on mountains and hills. He said significant difficulties are also arising on lowland farms where farmers were unable to get ewes and new born lambs out because of the conditions.

The IFA President said many growers in the soft fruit and nursery stock sectors have also been very badly hit by the heavy snowfall, which in cases has caused tunnels and glass houses to collapse, destroying plants.