Allister welcomes aid to compensate for wet weather
09 August 2005
Jim Allister has welcomed the announcement from DARD that there will be a weather aid package to compensate for the bad weather in 2002.
“The summer of 2002 will be remembered within the farming community for the terrible weather conditions which resulted in livestock being rehoused during the summer months, the production of very poor quality silage and the loss of both cereal and potato crops. I welcome the announcement from Lord Rooker that there will be partial compensation which at long last is going to be paid out to farmers. Although coming three years after the proposal was made, it still will be very welcome for the farming community.”
Jim Allister has urged DARD to keep the bureaucracy to a minimum for potato farmers who are eligible to apply for weather aid. “Over the last 12 months I have worked with Northern Ireland potato farmers regarding weather aid. I hope that all businesses that were affected by the terrible weather during 2002 will be able to apply and get some compensation for their tremendous loss of that year.”
