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Following days of heavy rainfall, Ulster ²ÝÁñÉçÇø' Union (UFU) president David Brown has urged local banks to recognise the added pressure and stress farming families are under, and to offer farmers leniency, where needed. 

Weather

Mr Brown said the level of rainfall across Northern Ireland has made it 'impossible to move livestock with planting and sowing 'way behind'. 

With bills mounting, he said farmers were struggling to keep on top of their work. 

Financial pressures

Mr Brown said: "The ground is saturated due to wet conditions that stretch back to the middle of last year.

See also: ²ÝÁñÉçÇø operating 'on a wing and a prayer' as bad weather persists

"We are urging everyone in the banking sector who interacts with farmers, to take this into account and to give whatever support they can. It is no secret that banks have made profits in recent years while farmers are doing their best to stay afloat. Banks have the power to apply leniency for anybody who's battling to meet repayments and they need to step up for farmers."

Fairness

Mr Brown accepted that weather conditions could not be controlled, but ensuring fairness was applied throughout the supply chain could be, adding that it would make a big difference for farm businesses.

See also: Crop area drops as weather woes continue for arable and livestock farmers

"Many farmers operate as sole traders, therefore, it's critical that every pound that's in the marketplace makes its way back to farmers. This can help to ease the pressure on farmers when uncontrollable elements such as the weather, is going against them.

Bovine tuberculosis

"TB levels are at an all time high in NI, many farmers are currently closed and are unable to sell livestock, meaning they have extra animals to house and feed. At this stage of the year, silage stocks will be low, and they will need to source and buy more. This puts extra pressure on cashflows and the daily running of the farm - farmers may need additional support."

See also: Warm, wet winters spark call for greater crop resilience, say scientists

Support available

UFU urged all farmers who felt overwhelmed and isolated to reach out for support. 

"The UFU will always do what it can to support members and local charity Rural Support has expertise to help farmers through challenging times," said Mr Brown.