Serious doubts have emerged regarding Bord na Móna’s (BNM) communication’s process, as all contact from local growers with the company has been unsuccessful thus far. The semi-state company has been tasked with assisting professional growers in securing supplies of peat for horticulture. Tipperary Sinn Féin TD, Martin Browne, has expressed concerns to Bord na Móna representatives at their level of engagement with members of professional growers in the horticultural industry who are seeking information on access to peat supplies.
Browne, who is also a member of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, claims that he has been informed locally that calls to the semi-state company have gone either unanswered, or they have not been responded to. The communication to the company mainly concerned horticultural peat stock that was placed aside since harvesting ceased. Browne says that he raised the matter with BNM during the week’s committee meeting and told them that they are at a stage in the year, where if growers can’t get in contact with BNM in the first place they run the risk of jobs being lost.
“And while a lease agreement has recently been made with ICL to run the mixing facility at Cúil na Móna, this does not mean that BNM has an excuse to delay talking to the professional growers until the changeover is finalised,” the deputy added.
The TD has called on Bord na Móna to resolve the issue in order to ensure the future viability of the industry.