Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 October 2018
234. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the possibility of reintroducing the fodder transport subsidy to assist farmers in transporting fodder which will be in demand due to the impending winter 2018 shortage following the severe spring snow and summer drought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40236/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the fodder difficulties of last Winter and Spring I formed a representative group chaired by Teagasc, including stakeholders such as Co-ops, banks, farm bodies, amongst others, to co-ordinate advisory messages to farmers around replenishing depleted stocks of fodder. I also requested the group to co-ordinate advice on managing grazing and fodder conservation through the subsequent extended period of extraordinarily dry weather. Fodder surveys conducted by Teagasc at my request as part of the group's work identified a substantial deficit in national fodder stocks, identified at 18% in June and falling to 12% in September.
Therefore my overall priority was to support the conservation of as much fodder for the coming Winter as possible when the opportunity to do so arose and to supplement this with necessary imports as required.
On the 3rd August, I announced a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage tillage growers to actively engage in the fodder market and there has been positive engagement with this measure. This additional funding generated significant additional forage area currently under catch crops.
On the 22nd August I announced a €4.25 million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure seeks to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage, that is: hay, silage, haylage, alfalfa and others from outside the island of Ireland. While the measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers, the actual beneficiaries will be farmers who need supplies of fodder.
Additionally, I also secured agreement from Commissioner Hogan to pay higher advance payments this autumn. As a result, advances for Pillar 1 and 2 payments will be increased to 70% and 85% respectively, resulting in €260 million in additional cash flow for farmers at a vital time of the year.
I am confident that the range of measures introduced by me to date, taken together and targeted at producing as much fodder as possible from our own land, provide the most effective response to a fodder shortfall and ensure adequate supplies ahead of the coming winter. I have no plans to introduce a national fodder transport subsidy. However I can assure you that I will continue to closely monitor and engage on this significant challenge during the coming period.
