asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will review the farm feed subsidy scheme with a view to extending it to those engaged in part-time farming who have numbers of cattle on hands for which they have not adequate feeding stuff nor the necessary capital to purchase such feed.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Farm Feed Scheme.
110.
The scheme of loans at reduced interest rate for retention of young cattle and the cattle feed voucher scheme are intended to assist smaller farmers who have difficulty in providing adequate feed for young stock over the winter period. They provide assistance for persons who derive their livelihood solely or mainly from farming. Eligibility for these schemes is not accordingly confined to full-time farmers. Farmers with off-farm employment may also be eligible but it is not considered appropriate that persons who derive less than 50 per cent of their income from farming should qualify.