The family farm body called on the Government to fast-track its report into the farming sector’s losses due to the recent bad weather.
"ICSMA feel that this report should be completed as a matter of urgency and not later than next Friday so that it can be submitted to Cabinet. Therefor the Cabinet will be in a position to allocate funds prior to the summer break," the President of the ICMSA, Mr Pat O’Rourke said following a meeting with the Taoiseach Mr Ahern and the Minister for Agriculture Mr Walsh this afternoon.
The ICMSA estimate the losses and cost could be €100 million. In a meeting this morning the ICMSA was assured by the AIB that the bank would adopt a proactive and flexible approach to farming customers.
Echoing similar demands by the Irish Farmers Association when it meet the Government earlier today, the ICMSA called for "action on a number of fronts", including the upcoming reform proposals for EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Mr O’Rourke said: "I appreciate the strong view conveyed by the Taoiseach that Ireland will reject the mid-term review of CAP if it undermines Agenda 2000 commitments, the Government needs to put farm incomes at the centre of national policy and EU agricultural policy."
The ICMSA said no agreement had been reached with on the Beef Assurance Scheme but warned there was no way that farmers could absorb additional costs.