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06 Sept 2025

Kilkenny TD says farmers need help now!

'Reduce the red tape and bureaucracy' - Deputy John McGuinness

Wet weather

Wet weather. File pic.

Reporter:

Kilkenny People reporter

05 Apr 2024 11:35 AM

Email:

news@kilkennypeople.ie

Deputy John McGuinness has welcomed the Minister for Agriculture's announcement to support farmers during this fodder crisis and to pause farm inspections that are not specifically required.
However, Deputy McGuinness went on to say that there is a need to go further, immediately, and dramatically reduce the red tape and bureaucracy that farmers have to deal with on a daily basis.
“It is no longer a viable proposition to expect farmers to spend hours of each day completing paperwork while at the same time deal with the myriad of challenges they face in keeping their enterprises viable.”
He urged people not to vilify the farming community and to remember that they are excellent business people and protectors of our environment. 
Deputy McGuinness also highlighted the need for the HSE to support farm families that are suffering anxiety and stress as they deal with extreme weather conditions causing havoc with the normal management of their farms, shortage of fodder for their animals and unable to allow animals to graze on land that is saturated due to weather conditions. Mental wellbeing is important and we should make all of the supports available where needed.
“While Teagasc has also been asked to establish a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who are struggling the support measures must go beyond the 22nd of April as suggested and should remain in place as long as needed," said Deputy McGuinness. 
 "I am extremely conscious of the pressure on local farm families in Carlow and Kilkenny as a result of the continuing adverse weather conditions. Fodder supplies are being depleted and this is clearly of serious concern for livestock and tillage farmers. In particular, turning stock out to grass and the sowing of spring cereals has been impacted. 
"I recognise that farm families need to be supported. I will continue to do everything I can to help them, especially through this hugely difficult period of unsettled weather that is becoming increasingly common."

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