Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2013
95. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes put in place in response to the fodder crisis of 2013, if his Department carried out a review in the aftermath of the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39205/13]
View answerThere were a range of measures put in place in recognition of the difficulties experienced by a great number of farmers across the country resulting from the unseasonable weather in 2012 and earlier this year which led to an extraordinary fodder shortage.An InterAgency Fodder Committee was established in early summer under the Chairmanship of Dr. Tom Kelly, Teagasc. The Committee includes representatives of all Agricultural Stakeholders, including a representative from my Department. The Committee not only monitored the fodder situation but also co-ordinated actions to ensure that there would be sufficient fodder conserved for next Winter. The Committee ensured a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of a strong advisory campaign to encourage farmers to maximise grass growth and conserve sufficient fodder for next winter. They produced a fodder budget worksheet which was widely publicised and allowed farmers to make decisions regarding feed planning for next winter. At my request, the InterAgency Fodder Committee reported to the Food Harvest 2020 High Level Implementation Committee, which I chair, on the actions being taken and the progress being made.
In April this year I established a Fodder Transport Subsidy Scheme to help alleviate the difficulties being encountered by farmers. The Scheme reduced the cost of imported fodder to farmers by approximately a third. The Scheme supported the importation of almost 2,800 loads of imported fodder, amounting to over 40,000 tonnes of fodder into the country.
In recognition of the severe difficulties experienced by farmers due to a shortage of fodder and the serious risk of a further shortage this Autumn/Winter, Ministers Hogan and I announced temporary and targeted adjustment of 2 provisions of the Nitrates Regulations to support additional fodder production on Irish farms earlier this year, i.e., extension of the period for the application of chemical fertiliser from the 15th to the end of September and the discounting of the phosphorus content a portion of meal fed.
The InterAgency Fodder Committee conducted a Fodder Survey earlier this month. The survey shows a major improvement in availability of fodder for the season ahead with an overall average surplus of 8% across the country when considered on the basis of a normal winter period. The survey noted that with prudent management of existing fodder stocks, along with appropriate supplementation with concentrate feeds, farmers are well positioned to come through this winter.
The very favourable grass growing conditions in August and September to date have been of great benefit to farmers in addressing the fodder issue.
