Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1984. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial costs of the fodder aid provided to address the fodder crisis of 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34838/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the weather conditions experienced by farmers during late 2017, my Department put in place two measures to support farmers facing fodder shortages. The Fodder Transport Measure was introduced in January 2018 in order to make a financial contribution towards forage transport costs in certain circumstances. The Fodder Import Measure was then introduced in April 2018 to reduce the costs borne by farmers in importing fodder and was implemented via approved suppliers of imported fodder.
Under the Fodder Transport Measure, some 609 applications have been received. Payments in excess of €162,000 have issued to date.
Under the Fodder Import Measure, farmers availed of the opportunity to purchase imported fodder via 23 approved providers who initially incurred the cost of import. Payments under the Fodder Import Measure are due to commence shortly to the approved providers. At the launch of the Import Measure it was envisaged that less than 20,000 tonnes would be imported under the Measure - this is significantly less than a half days feed for the national herd.
