asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the continuing inclement weather and the late growth, he would be prepared as an exceptional measure to arrange for the subsidisation of hay for farmers in western counties so as to reduce the cattle mortality rates arising from insufficient feed of adequate quality to maintain nutritional levels.
Written Answers. - Silage Grants.
156.
I am concerned at the poor level of grass growth and soil conditions in many parts of the country and I have arranged that my Department will keep the fodder situation under close review over the coming months. Meantime, I am urging farmers to make immediate arrangements to make silage this year rather than risk hay making. As a special incentive I have recently announced that subject to EC approval the already generous grants for the provision of silage storage facilities under the farm improvement programme are being further increased for the next twelve months from 35 per cent to 45 per cent in disadvantaged areas and from 30 per cent to 35 per cent in other areas. Grants for silage storage facilities approved under the western package during the same period are also being increased to 45 per cent