Martin Browne
Question:1320. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new fodder support scheme will open for new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38726/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1320)
Written answers
Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the Deputy will be aware that on the 15th June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) to ensure Ireland did not have any animal welfare issues over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.
Building on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, on the 2nd November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
The 2023 Fodder Support Scheme was a continuance of the 2022 Scheme and only successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme, which closed at midnight on the 5th of December 2022.
I will continue to monitor the situation around the price of agricultural inputs and the availability of fodder supplies throughout 2023, but at this point I have no plans to re-open the Fodder Support Scheme to new applicants.