Dec 1st, 2009

Cahill calls for flooding task force

Commenting on the flooding crisis, Mr Cahill said that despite the excellent effort by voluntary and public sector workers on the ground, ICMSA believed that there is need for substantial funding to be directed towards the affected areas. Mr Cahill stated that there are farm families who will need financial support in both the short and long-term. A dedicated task force is required that will co-ordinate remedial organisation for farming communities and accordingly the lead department should be the Department of Agriculture. Mr Cahill stressed that this should not be considered as just another open-ended quango or a review committee, but a specific group tasked with a specific job and to report back with a specific time.

The issues that might be addressed range from the short-term problem of income support to cross-compliance, taxation and the implications on entitlements due to forced sale of livestock. The flooding-induced problems faced by these farmers would nearly be insurmountable at the best of times but coming on top of a disastrous collapse in income they must be considered an emergency. Help is needed and it must be given, according to Mr Cahill.

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