Mattie McGrath says waffle and spin ‘will not put grass on the fields’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny defended the Government’s handling of the fodder crisis facing farmers. “Almost a thousand loads of animal foodstuff have been imported, with further large quantities expected.’’

He said the transport subsidy scheme had been doubled to €2 million and the closing date extended to May 24th. The animal welfare helpline was manned on a constant basis.

The Taoiseach was replying to Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who said the annual national farm survey by Teagasc revealed that 26,104 farm households were not viable.

He said the Government’s response to the fodder crisis had been inaction.

Mr Kenny said Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and the department had been very proactive in dealing with the fodder crisis, which principally arose from the very cold and bad weather.

Mr McGrath said farm contractors were outside the Leinster House gates protesting about the plight of the farming sector.

“All the waffle in the world, and all the spin, will not put grass on the fields or food on the tables.’’