Mindful of the hardship and distress caused by the recent widespread flooding, on 27 November 2009 I announced the introduction of the Fodder Aid Scheme, targeted directly at those farmers who encountered damage to fodder in the affected areas i.e. where there was evidence of genuine damage to silage, hay, concentrates or straw caused by the flooding in November 2009. I am pleased to say that payments commenced issuing before Christmas and am particularly pleased at the speed with which these payments have been made directly to the affected farmers.