Goverment call for immediate support as 'potential for potato harvest wipe-out' grows in Laois

"GOVERMENT, and in particular the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, must proactively develop a system of supports to assist potato farmers and producers following warnings from the Irish Farm Association that almost 60% of the crop has still not been harvested due to exceptional levels of rain."

That is the view of Independent TD for Laois-Offaly, Carol Nolan who was responding to growing alarm within the potato sector amid fears that supply can no longer be guaranteed as farmers struggle to come to terms with what they are describing as a ‘salvage operation’ for this year’s crop.

Deputy Nolan said; “Wet weather has always created additional challenges for our farmers but this year the situation with respect to our potato sector has been an absolute nightmare.

“I know they are working night and day to try and harvest what they can, but one or two more prolonged periods of rain or even frost will certainly ensure that the situation becomes catastrophic.

“That is why I have written to minister McConalogue asking him to start work now on a system of supports for potato farmers that can be ready to kick in if the worst comes to the worst.

“There is no point waiting for the crisis to deepen any further than it has before we start to act. We must anticipate and plan for the worst-case scenario now."