Farmers must receive aid following flooding

Ulster Unionist Agriculture and Rural Development spokesman, Tom Elliott, has said that it is vital that farmers affected by the recent flooding receive aid and are not left to suffer the financial consequences of the adverse weather conditions on their own.

In a statement, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: "The recent flooding not only caused physical damage to a number of properties but also heavily restricted the ability of farmers to move their animals and milk. This meant that a number of farmers were unable to bring their cattle to mart or transfer them to abattoirs, while some dairy farmers had to simply dump thousands of litres of milk as the tankers couldn't reach their farms to take it away. It really was a very serious situation."

With the rain fall having slowed and the flood water now receding, Mr Elliott stressed the need for Minister Gildernew and her department to take action and provide financial aid for those farmers who had suffered.

He went on to say: "In August 2008 we faced a similar situation when severe flooding damaged the livelihoods of many farmers in Northern Ireland. At that time the Department took action and put a system in place to ensure that farmers affected received hardship payments. I believe that there is a real need for a similar system again to help the farmers who have suffered greatly as a result of the weather. This would not only help the farmers financially, but also provide a confidence boost to many farmers as they enter the harsh winter period."

"I am calling on the Minister and her officials to act as soon as possible to have system in place, and I look forward to seeing farmers receive they help they need."