Storm Eowyn is responsible for EUR4.46 millions in damage to Irish Horticulture and horticulture industries

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The Irish industry of horticulture is facing the possibility of EUR4.46 million damage due to Storm Eowyn. It is the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) together with Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) as well as Teagasc has assessed the preliminary damage. The storm that struck in the midst of a crucial planting time caused damage to glasshouses, nurseries as well as mushrooms and organic growers. It damaged polytunnels, crop, and the equipment.

In the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) meeting, IFA Horticulture Committee chair Mark Walsh noted “positive engagement” with the Minister of State, Horticulture Micheal Healy-Rae. The forum discussed the hurricane’s impacts on the commercial horticulture industry with a focus on structural repair as well as losses to stock.

Walsh declared that the EUR4.46 million figure is for directly incurred losses, not including interruptions to business operations caused by damage to structures. Walsh emphasized that the minister is willing to comprehend the difficulties caused by this storm and cited a promise to examine the IFA’s request for assistance to growers affected by the storm.

Through talks in the IFA’s discussions, IFA stressed the growing industry’s challenges including input costs which impact profit margins within the “stressed industry.” They also discussed the impact of the major retailers on the supply chain of food and argued for increased Agri-Food Regulator powers. A need for government-to-grower participation in labor supply was also addressed.

The delegation underscored the sector’s requirement for assistance in moving away from peat native until viable alternatives can be found. They stressed the significance of looking at the availability of seed potatoes and urged a temporary exemption to ensure that the Irish seed industry develops.

Source: Agriland

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies