Northern Ireland: Farm Sheep Buried In Snow

By Vicki Hawthorne, Ireland Correspondent

Farmers in Northern Ireland are still unable to assess their losses a week after the big freeze hit.

Thousands of sheep are thought to have died after being buried in the snow in Counties Antrim and Down.

Snow drifts of up to 12 feet were reported in some areas with roads, hedges and gates completely submerged. 

On Campbell Tweed's family farm in the Glens of Antrim, sheep remain buried in the snow across the 1,600-acre site.

Mr Tweed says he has no idea how many animals he has lost from his 4,000-strong flock. 

He says he won't get a full picture until there is a complete thaw, and that could take until late next week.

Farmer Campbell Tweed does not know how many sheep he has lost

Lambing season has not started on the Tweed farm, so any sheep that were saved are heavily pregnant and the focus is now on keeping them comfortable and well fed.

On Tuesday an RAF Chinook helicopter was deployed from England to drop fodder in Northern Ireland where farmers were not able to get to their animals.

Irish military helicopters joined that rescue mission yesterday. 

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Executive has set up a relief package for farmers who have sustained heavy losses due to the adverse weather.

The Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill has announced a fund which will help farmers pay for the collection and disposal of animals killed in the snow.

Ms O'Neill said: "There is potential for environmental impact, disease risks and reputational damage associated with dead animals not being collected and disposed of without delay which is why funding for the collection and disposal of fallen animals is an urgent need."

She has also said she plans to bring further proposals to the Northern Ireland Executive on a hardship payment scheme.

The scheme will help with the financial burden on affected farmers. It's thought the entire relief fund amounts to £5m.

The fund has been welcomed by the Ulster Farmers' Union. Its president Harry Sinclair has also praised the community spirit in the worst-affected areas. 

He said: "The farming families directly affected by the crisis are working together to overcome the enormous problems created by the drifting snow. 

"Their resilience is being tested to the limit and with no thaw in sight, the hardship they are facing is set to continue into next week."

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