Farm workers demand state compensation due to torrential spring rainfall

In a letter to the agriculture minister, Farm Contractors Ireland sought state support following ‘the most difficult season in many years’

FCI have asked the minister to instruct the SBCI to provide state-guaranteed funding to enable farmers to pay their agricultural contractors within 30 days of completing work. Picture: Zane R. Llewellyn

Agriculture contractors have demanded financial compensation from the state, claiming the level of rainfall since the beginning of the year has reduced their usual output by over two thirds.

In a letter sent on Monday to Charlie McConalogue, the agriculture minister, the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) said the wet weather had “hugely impacted” the ability of contractors to provide services to farmers, with less than a third of normal spring ...