Cowen welcomes scheme to assist Shannon Callows farmers

LOCAL Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen, has welcomed a scheme to assist farmers who have lost fodder

due to exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows.

The announcement followed consultation between the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue,

those impacted by excessive summer and ongoing flooding of Shannon callows, and with Fianna Fáil Deputies Barry Cowen, Robert Troy, Anne Rabbitte & Senator Eugene Murphy when meeting with

Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Athlone recently.

The Save Our Shannon group, comprising farming, business & community sectors across the counties of

Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and east Galway, also attended.

Deputy Cowen said, "Due to the very challenging weather conditions this summer, some farmers were

unable to save fodder crops for this coming winter and this has been compounded by the continuing wet

conditions throughout the Autumn period.

"This has left affected farmers in a serious situation requiring them to purchase additional fodder to

maintain animal health and welfare over the winter months and I very much welcome this scheme which

will assist farmers in this situation.

“Minister Charlie McConalogue is making available funding of over €800,000 to farmers who have been

affected by fodder loss due to flooding in the region and I understand that The Department of Agriculture

will shortly be in contact with affected farmers”.

Payment will be at a rate of €325 per hectare for farmers affected by fodder loss, and will be paid on a

minimum of one hectare and a maximum of 15 hectares.