Since providing a phone number to enable staff at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to match requests for help from framers with those able to offer assistance, DEFA has received over 90 calls. All requests for help have now had a response and the Department is continuing to deal with enquiries to 685844.
The help now needed is to reach areas which are difficult to access and require specialist skills and equipment. The Department will not be asking members of the public to undertake this work but will continue to liaise with the Manx National Farmers Union to facilitate appropriate help.
DEFA Minister, Phil Gawne, MHK said: “we have been heartened by the many kind offers of help but it is important that people do not put themselves at risk. The farming community is working together in very difficult circumstances and we will continue to support these efforts. I am pleased to say that we have been able to bring forward the payment of the Countryside Care Scheme, releasing funds a month earlier than usual. 98% of farmers can expect to receive their payments this week and it is expected that the remaining payments will be made next week. I hope that this early payment will help all those who are incurring extra fuel costs and providing additional feed and shelter at this difficult time”.
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