Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
25. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the need for further fodder support schemes in 2018 will be kept under review in view of the continuing demand for fodder in the recent hot weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31480/18]
View answerIn terms of supports, I introduced two measures to support the availability of fodder to affected farmers In response to fodder shortages earlier this spring and last winter caused by prolonged wet and cold weather. I expect payments to farmers under the Fodder Transport Support measure to commence this week.
To avoid a similar situation arising again and to learn from the lessons of last winter I formed a representative group chaired by Teagasc including stakeholders such as Co-ops, banks, farm bodies, amongst others, to coordinate advisory messages to farmers this summer around replenishing stocks that have been used up and also to manage grazing and fodder through this extended period of extraordinarily dry weather. This group will continue to meet, particularly during this difficult period, until I am fully satisfied that the issue of securing adequate fodder supplies for next winter has been fully addressed.
As a further initiative, I launched a national fodder census on the 26th June to be compiled by Teagasc through its client network as well as clients of the other fodder group stakeholders, with another census planned for the 1st September. The aim of the census is to monitor and measure the levels of fodder in the country and will inform further actions that may be necessary this autumn.
Detailed agronomic advice is being regularly coordinated and communicated to farmers by the bodies represented on the Fodder Group, including through our own social media account.
In addition Teagasc has established a dedicated helpline to provide advice to farmers affected by the ongoing drought. This is being supplemented by a series of local meetings/clinics where farmers can obtain direct support from Teagasc advisors on the spot. The helpline will operate daily from 9 am to 9 pm - 087 7971377.
This helpline service and local clinics are open to all farmers, including non-Teagasc clients.
Co-ops and feed compounders represented on the group have increased feed output to meet demand.
Banking institutions in the group are working closely with farmer customers on effective financial planning to see them through the current difficult spell.
I firmly believe that farmers should have access to measures that improve their resilience to weather related events and enable them to take appropriate preventative actions. To this end I have asked my officials to examine all available risk management tools to determine which may be most appropriate to the farming sector.
