This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21974838

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Relief package of £5m made available to farmers Relief package of £5m made available to farmers
(about 4 hours later)
The NI Agriculture Minister has said the decision to fund a fallen stock scheme and hardship package for farmers is welcome news for the industry.The NI Agriculture Minister has said the decision to fund a fallen stock scheme and hardship package for farmers is welcome news for the industry.
On Tuesday the Executive agreed an aid package worth up to £5m to help those who have lost livestock in the recent heavy snowfalls.On Tuesday the Executive agreed an aid package worth up to £5m to help those who have lost livestock in the recent heavy snowfalls.
The Executive will pay for the collection and disposal of sheep which died in the blizzard.The Executive will pay for the collection and disposal of sheep which died in the blizzard.
It is not yet clear how many sheep have died as a result of the snow.It is not yet clear how many sheep have died as a result of the snow.
The cost of disposing of the sheep could be between £300,000 and £1m.The cost of disposing of the sheep could be between £300,000 and £1m.
Hardship payments will also be made to the worst affected farms.Hardship payments will also be made to the worst affected farms.
The terms of the scheme have not been worked out yet but its understood a budget of £4m is being set aside for these payments. The terms of the scheme have not been worked out yet but it is understood a budget of £4m is being set aside for these payments.
Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said; "The Executive was looking at how this could be funded and to try and find the money to bring forward that budget to support the hardship package.Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said; "The Executive was looking at how this could be funded and to try and find the money to bring forward that budget to support the hardship package.
"What I think we should focus on is the fact that we are signed up to providing a hardship package for the farming community.""What I think we should focus on is the fact that we are signed up to providing a hardship package for the farming community."
The President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, Harry Sinclair, says support for the measures extends beyond the farming community: The President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, Harry Sinclair, said support for the measures extended beyond the farming community:
"People have seen the pictures and are totally shocked and want to do all they can to help," he said."People have seen the pictures and are totally shocked and want to do all they can to help," he said.
"It's the first time people have seen this scale of devastation and the general feeling of most people is wanting to help the farmers.""It's the first time people have seen this scale of devastation and the general feeling of most people is wanting to help the farmers."