The initial estimated impact of damage caused by Storm Éowyn to the Irish horticulture sector currently stands at €4.46 million. Despite being difficult to quantify exact losses, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) in conjunction with the Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) collaborated with Teagasc to establish the preliminary costs.
Minister @MHealyRae visited WhiteHart Mushrooms in Monaghan and saw firsthand the impact of #StormEowyn. The Minister will hear directly from representatives of all horticulture sub-sectors next week at the Horticulture Industry Forum pic.twitter.com/vyzKM1W4JO
— Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (@agriculture_ie) February 5, 2025
The record-breaking winds destroyed polytunnels, crops and equipment on many horticultural enterprises. Protected crops in glasshouses, nursery operators, mushroom growers and organic growers have all been impacted by the storm.
IFA Horticulture Committee chair Mark Walsh said there was "positive engagement" with the new Minister of State with responsibility for Horticulture, Micheal Healy-Rae, at the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) meeting in Backweston yesterday (Tuesday, February 11).
The meeting had been brought forward to discuss the impact of Storm Éowyn that left many operators in the commercial horticulture sector facing huge structural repair bills and stock loss.
Read more at Agriland