The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) has welcomed the Government’s announcement that farmers who remove snow-related hazards on public roads will not be liable for claims.
Pat McCormack, president of the ICMSA, said farmers throughout the state have done “an enormous amount of work” clearing roads and trying to improve driving access during the current extreme weather conditions.
It was only fair that they were not made in any way liable for trying to help others and provide valuable voluntary work for the public good.
“The clarification provided was welcome and should always be the case in these kinds of circumstances,” he said.
Turning to the question of milk collection from farms, McCormack said there would have to be a level of co-operation shown by co-ops, local authorities and farmers to ensure “vital collections” are facilitated.
But the ICMSA president was adamant that farmer-suppliers “cannot be out of pocket” because their milk was not collected due to the circumstances of poor weather.
Green light to clear roads
Earlier today, the Government gave approval to farmers and those with heavy equipment to clear local roads, once they do so with common sense and on a voluntary basis.
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, confirmed the news following this morning’s meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG).
With heavy snow falls in the past few days, as well as significant snow drifts, farmers have been battling the extremes to tend to their livestock.
Many roads across the country remain impassable; some have improved in recent hours due to the thaw that is setting in.
