Roscommon Galway Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice is calling for an extension to the deadline for the establishment of wild bird cover under the GLAS scheme.
The purpose of growing wild bird cover crops is to provide seed for birds during the winter when demand is highest and farmers need to prepare the ground now for planting.
The deadline is set as Monday next, May 31st, but Deputy Fitzmaurice says heavy rainfall cover the past month has prevented farmers from getting into their land to plough and sow the bird cover.
The Independent TD says that farm safety is of major importance and there is no sense in farmers or agricultural contractors being under undue pressure in order to try and meet a deadline.
He says with the weather set to pick up in the days ahead he's asking the Minister to grant an extension to the deadline to allow farmers to safely establish the wild bird covers.
