The big winter freeze, the worst in living memory, has caused extensive damage to vegetable crops across the Irish Republic, according to the Irish Horticultural Association (IHA).
Its chairman, PJ Jones, says that more than 1,000 acres of crops have been hit, with carrots, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts and cabbages the worst affected. Jones estimates the damage at around €10 million.
Now the IHA has opened talks with agriculture minister Brendan Smith in the hope of securing a relief fund that will enable some of the hardest hit growers to stay in business. With the Irish exchequer strapped for cash, the prospects for a rescue package are not good, but Jones remains hopeful. “The minister was sympathetic to the case we presented, but didn’t give any firm commitment,” he said. “The fact that we are in the middle of an election campaign, when all parties are chasing votes, could work to our advantage. We haven’t put a figure on how big the relief fund should be, we want to get as much as we can.”
According to Jones, growers’ difficulties are compounded by the scarcity of bank credit and the price pressure being exerted by the large retailers. He has had talks with some of the multiples on the latest crisis and is optimistic that they can be persuaded to adopt a more understanding approach, given the circumstances.
