Wet weather pushing Wexford farmers to the brink – ‘I have never seen them feeling so helpless’
Cllr Frank Staples on his farm with his son Jim and Jer O'Mahony (County Chairman Irish Farmers Association).
The Co Wexford farming community is at “breaking point” with many of those involved in the industry at their lowest ebb in decades. This is the stark message delivered by Rosslare councillor and farmer Frank Staples who says the unending rain and wet weather is having a catastrophic impact on all those in the sector.
“I am very concerned about our farming community at the moment, we have no corn, vegetables or potatoes sown,” said the Fine Gael councillor.
“We also have a huge problem with animal fodder which is fast running out, if the rain persists for another two weeks it will be catastrophic for the farming community. This is going to have a huge knock on effect for next year.”
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With the rain impacting every facet of the industry, Councillor Staples is concerned that many will opt to leave farming in the coming months and that those who stay will face even greater pressures as they struggle to survive.
“Farmers are at breaking point as their income will be non existent, I would be very concerned about their mental health. I have never seen farmers so down and feeling so helpless, as I write this it’s raining and there seems to be no end to it. This is the second wettest year since records began over 80 years ago.”
