The effect of the severe fodder shortage in Mayo cannot be overstated, as farmers are at their wits end – that’s according to Mayo Fianna Fail TD Lisa Chambers.

The party last night tabled motions in the Dáil and Seanad on the fodder crisis and its impact on animal welfare, farm sustainability and the wellbeing of farmers.

Fianna Fail is calling for a number of measures to alleviate pressure on farmers, including a hardship fund,  low interest loans to tide farmers over,  the speeding up of farm payments and a temporarily halt to all cross compliance inspections on farms.

However, Deputy Chambers says the most immediate need is for a meal voucher scheme to be introduced….