Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2018
181. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the transport subsidy scheme he recently announced; when it will open for applications; and his plans to bring forward a meal voucher scheme. [3885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully aware that the wet weather conditions of much of last autumn, coupled with the need to house livestock earlier than normal resulted in pressure on fodder supplies, with consequent shortfalls in some parts of the West and North West of the country.
Through feedback from work I asked Teagasc to undertake locally and the views returned from the two meetings of the Fodder Group I convened last December, it is clear that the more significant shortfalls in winter fodder supplies while very real, are geographically confined and localised. While I believe that fodder remains available across the country, I am nevertheless conscious that a key issue to resolve is the cost of transporting fodder between those areas where it is available and those where it is scarce.
To address this problem I am introducing a Fodder Transport Support measure to provide additional assistance to those livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged wet weather of last autumn, mainly in parts of the West and North West and we are partnering with the co-operatives on this.
Farmers, who have an identified fodder shortage, having completed a fodder budgeting exercise with their agricultural advisor, will be eligible to receive a financial contribution towards offsetting the costs of transport of fodder in excess of 100 km. As fodder is traded between farms on a regular basis, it is essential that the support measure is targeted at those who most need it and does not impact on the normal functioning of the market for fodder and for this reason a minimum transport distance applies. Eligible applicants will receive a transport contribution of €8 per standard bale of hay or straw for feeding, and €12 per standard bale of silage or haylage, applicable only to the verified shortfall in fodder.
Financial assistance under the Fodder Transport Support Measure is payable in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 on de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector.
While this measure builds on my early supports to farmers through prioritisation of farm payments, and the convening of a Fodder Group, I urge affected farmers to avail of the additional fodder budgeting support being provided by Teagasc.
Application forms and further details on the operation of the measure will be available from my Department in the coming days.
