In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, earlier this year I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to farmers of a bale of hay by approximately one third. While the Scheme operated through the co-operatives, marts and other approved agencies, the actual beneficiaries are the individual farmers and primary producers who needed urgent supplies of feed. Operating the scheme in this manner was the quickest and most effective way of getting the fodder to those who needed it.
Of the 78 different concerns which participated in the Scheme, to date, 70 have submitted claims, of which 26 have been fully processed and paid in full, with a further 29 having received an advance payment of 75%, the balancing payment will issue to these concerns once all outstanding issues are resolved. These concerns have been contacted directly and are working with my Department to resolve the outstanding issues. Of the remaining 23 cases, 15 are currently in progress, with documentation remaining outstanding from 8 concerns. To date, payments worth some €2.2 million have issued, with total expenditure expected to be in the region of €2.8 million.