Robin Swann MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and Chairman of the Stormont Employment and Learning Committee, has called on the Farming Minister to ask for the PSNI helicopter to assist stranded farmers because of the current heavy cold snap.
Assemblyman Swann, who is also North Antrim UUP Chairman and Party Chief Whip, issued his call after one farmer tragically lost 26 animals after a shed collapsed because of the heavy snow.
In contacting the Farming Minister, Mr Swann said: “Can I ask you to co-ordinate with the PSNI and their helicopter and assist farmers in North Antrim get feed to their livestock that are currently stranded due to snow?
“For many farmers, their future livelihood is at stake and one farmer has already lost 26 animals after a shed collapsed due to snow.
“My own constituency is a largely rural one where agriculture is the main industry. I am calling on the Minister to ask for the PSNI helicopter to especially help North Antrim farmers access stranded stock.
“I believe this would be an excellent example of co-operation between the Minister, her department and the PSNI for the benefit of the already hard-pressed farming community, particularly in North Antrim.”
Mr Swann is a Past President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster.