Macra President calls for Fodder and Food Security Committee to reconvene amid drought concerns.

Macra National President Josephine O’Neill has called for the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) to be reconvened urgently amid ongoing drought warnings and growing concerns over fodder supplies for the coming months.

Ms O’Neill raised the issue directly with the Minister for Agriculture at a meeting on 22 July, calling for the committee to be reconvened. She subsequently followed up in writing to the Minister on 29 July, reiterating the urgency of the situation.

“Action appears to be slow, but we cannot afford to keep waiting until it is too late,” said Ms O’Neill. “The continued dry conditions are putting significant pressure on grass growth and on farmers’ ability to build adequate fodder stocks for the winter.”

With some farmers already having to supplement grass supplies and draw on fodder reserves, Macra is concerned that continued dry weather could leave farms facing significant shortages later in the year.

“Farmers, particularly young farmers with limited financial and fodder reserves, cannot afford to wait until there is a crisis before action is taken,” Ms O’Neill said.

“The National Fodder and Food Security Committee exists to bring the relevant stakeholders together and plan for challenges such as this. It should be reconvened without delay.

“We need an immediate assessment of fodder stocks, grass growth and regional pressures so that contingency measures can be put in place now. Waiting until autumn or winter to determine the scale of the problem will simply be too late.”

Ms O’Neill said the focus must be on preparedness rather than crisis management.

“The warning signs are already there. The Government must act now to ensure farmers have the support and certainty they need in the months ahead.”

Macra is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to reconvene the NFFSC at the earliest opportunity and begin planning now for the risk of fodder shortages later this year.