Compensation deal agreed for Irish potato farmers hit by cold snap

A compensation package was tonight revealed for farmers whose crops were damaged during the cold snap.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said potato and vegetable growers who suffered significant losses because of frost in January could recoup some funds.

The Irish Farmers’ Association has claimed the big freeze destroyed €15m worth of potatoes and other produce.

Growers estimated at least 75% of crops were lost this winter as 6,000 of acres went unharvested after torrential rain in November and temperatures in January plummeting to record lows.