Ireland: Bishop asks for prayers as farms face serious fodder shortage

Many animals have been kept in for months now, because of freezing wet weather.

Source: ICMO/ICN

In reponse to an ongoing fodder shortage crisis which is affecting livestock in the Diocese of Cork & Ross and beyond, Bishop John Buckley said yesterday: "I have been travelling the diocese before and during Easter and have been talking to farmers and to their families. Due to lack of feed, animals are suffering great stress during this difficult winter and late spring. I am calling on Government to monitor this crisis situation closely and to generously and quickly address the feed requirements of animals. This emergency situation has resulted in reports of animals dying on farms."

Bishop Buckley continued: "Many farmers have approached me, asking for prayers. I am asking all Masses in the dioceses to offer prayers this weekend for the farming community and to pray for an end to the wet and unseasonably cold weather. Over the past few weeks I have witnessed great hardship in the farming community. This is particularly true of West Cork. Let us remember them in our prayers."