Update 18Mar25:  The Struggle for Farmers and Growers Continues

The government’s response, reopening the 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Commercial Horticulture Sector, has fallen far short of what is truly needed. Many growers were excluded from assistance due to restrictive conditions, leaving those who have suffered crop damage, income loss, and infrastructure destruction without the vital support they desperately need.

Alongside our allied organisations—Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI), Farming for Nature, Seedsavers, and Leitrim Organic Co-op—we’ve issued a joint statement calling for immediate, fair compensation to help these growers recover.  Read the joint petition here: https://talamhbeo.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/joint-statement-Storm-Eowyn.pdf

Local food producers are vital for a resilient food system. If we don’t act now, we risk losing the growers who make this possible.

How You Can Help:

• Spread the Word: Share our petition and message on social media.
• Get in Touch: If you’re a grower impacted by Storm Éowyn, we want to hear your story.

Together, we can ensure our local food producers get the support they need to recover and thrive!

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Update 22Feb25:

The government's response to the crisis has shown just how out of touch it is with the realities of small-scale food production

On 14th Feb, DAFM announced the reopening of an existing scheme: The 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. Under the scheme, aid, at a max rate of 40% (50% for young farmers and certified organic growers), is provided on the approved net cost of investments. The minimum eligible investment is €7,500 (ex VAT).

This scheme falls far short of growers' needs. It does not reflect the urgency at hand and is burdened with excessive conditions, particularly the €7,500 minimum investment requirement. Additionally, it fails to address the income disruption caused by crop losses. 

Talamh Beo remains committed to fighting for this vital sector during this time of crisis. We are actively engaging with political representatives and will continue to advocate for the support our sector urgently needs.

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Update 04Feb25:

Government Minister for Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, has announced that he will meet with the Horticulture Industry Forum on February 11th to discuss the government's response to the devastating impact of storm Éowyn.

A survey conducted by the OGI gathered responses from over 40 small to medium organic veg growers impacted by the storm, many of whom reported 100% losses of their protected cropping areas. 

The scale of the damage is unprecedented. Without immediate and substantial government intervention, many growers will be forced out of business. 

Talamh Beo urges the government to act swiftly and comprehensively and to provide a firm commitment that growers' livelihoods will be protected. The country cannot afford to lose its supply of locally grown, nutrient-rich food—or the skilled hands that produce it.

Please sign and share to stand in solidarity with the farmers and growers impacted and to support the future of locally produced food.

Original text:

Talamh Beo is a national organisation advocating for Food Sovereignty and Agroecology. Many of our members are small growers and farmers dedicated to the domestic market, and they have been severely impacted by Storm Éowyn. As you will be aware, the worst effects have been felt in the west of the country, where damage to infrastructure has, in some cases, been devastating.

Images of polytunnels with plastic torn to shreds and, in some cases, misshapen steel frames are circulating on social media and WhatsApp groups. Some of our colleagues have lost more than 50% of their entire polytunnel infrastructure. These tunnels are essential for the continued success of these small businesses, yet they are uninsurable—leaving food producers not only with an immediate and severe loss of income but also the burden of significant rebuilding costs.

Within the Talamh Beo Operational Group, every grower has suffered structural damage to their tunnels. We understand firsthand the challenges we are describing to you. For this reason, we are making an urgent appeal to the government to provide financial support to affected growers and farmers across the nation.

Please support this petition by signing and sharing. 

You can download our Call for Support on our website here https://talamhbeo.ie/talamh-beo-call-for-support-for-farmers-and-growers-affected-by-storm-eowyn/

Míle Buíochas,

Talamh Beo Operational Group