Carlow speaker to feature on Facebook live stream which will discuss the crisis in farming

An online public meeting is being live streamed on Facebook this Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30pm to discuss the crisis in the farming community as a result of Covid-19.

Speakers on the night are Edmond Phelan, President of the ICSA, Tom Stephenson from the Beef Farmers Crisis Discussion Group and Stephanie Hanlon, small farmer and activist.

The meeting will be available on Carlow's Cllr Adrienne Wallace's Facebook page. 

Stephanie Hanlon said: "With the major restaurant chains shut in Ireland, the largest percentage of buyers of Irish beef are temporarily out of business.

"Indeed, with marts shut, even the normal commerce of buying and selling of farmers products has been suspended.

"This has had to be done for protection of human life, but the supports put in place mean many beef farmers are scared for the future.

"This has also been a scary time for milk producers, as many are struggling with loans due to the deregulation of the milk sector in 2015."

She added: "As Irish agriculture goods are traded internationally the impacts of Covid-19 are not just a national concern for Irish farmers.

"Shocks and changing consumption patterns worldwide are felt in people’s pockets here. The Government supports for farmers are woeful.

"Farmers are allowed to apply for the Credit Guarantee Scheme (state backed loans), a facility that any small or medium enterprise may apply for, and that is it.

"Given the projected and actual loss in revenue, Covid-19 could see many farmers lose their farms and livelihood due to the pressures of the Pandemic.

"Wednesday’s meeting will be a way for us to talk about solutions and offer farmers a way of coming together in a difficult period."