Byrne: Great Show cannot mask Crisis in Farming

Irelands largest Agricultural and Food Show and one of the main events in the farming calendar, The Balmoral Show, celebrated its 145^th anniversary and this year West-Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne took part in a special meet and greet.

Mr Byrne was delighted to have the opportunity to meet the shows patrons and discuss their views. While doing so Mr Byrne, who is Vice-Chair of the Stormont Agricultural Committee, was approached by many disgruntled farmers who expressed their views on the farming industry.

Among many topics, Mr Byrne readily discussed at length the current ‘Fodder Crisis’ that is currently gripping the Agricultural Community. Mr Byrne said “Of all the issues that were raised to me, top of the agenda among many farmers was the on-going Fodder Crisis. Many farmers, due to weather conditions, have been left without any feed for their animals”.

“Among those in attendance I met a number of farmers from Fermanagh who have also been struggling to make ends meet, due to the unfavourable weather conditions. Like many they try to remain positive in these testing times for farmers.”

“I have continuously raised the strife that farmers are currently enduring to DARD, Unfortunately DARD are so aloof from reality, they don’t recognise what is going on.”

On a more positive note Mr Byrne and his young SDLP team in attendance, commended the work done by all to make a great show possible. “I have been visiting the Balmoral Agricultural Show since I was a student in Queens in the mid Seventies and have always enjoyed the colour and atmosphere when country people attend this large show annually.”

“The RUAS are to be congratulated on this major development to the new Maze site and hopefully they will be able to enjoy another 100 years of progress and advancement of the farming sector in our economy”.