Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
456. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications will be accepted under the emergency fodder scheme; the areas of the country covered by the scheme; if areas are excluded; the reason for this; if he intends on introducing compensatory measures in the areas excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra457. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if hay saved on traditional hay meadow is eligible for assistance under the emergency fodder scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.
The Deputy will be aware that on the 15th June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. This is a nationwide Scheme which aims to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) for the coming winter to ensure Ireland does not have any animal welfare issues over the coming winter and next spring. Dairy farmers are not eligible for the scheme.
Grassland declared on the applicant’s 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application, including grassland that is Area of Natural Constraints (ANC) Category 1 land, is eligible for the scheme. The land applied on must be land on which either hay or silage is cut and conserved on before 5th September 2022. Tillage land is not eligible for the scheme. The payment rate will be up to €100 per hectare, up to a maximum of 10 hectares with the maximum potential payment of up to €1,000.
The online application system for the Fodder Support Scheme is now open for applications. Farmers wishing to apply can do so either themselves or through their advisor up to the 2nd August 2022 by logging on to agfood.ie.
As per the Scheme's Terms and Conditions, Traditional Hay Meadow is eligible for support as long as all requirements under the Fodder Support Scheme are complied with. The full Terms & Conditions of the Scheme and a Frequently Asked Questions document are also now available on my Department’s website and can be viewed at www.gov.ie/en/service/448e0-fodder-support-scheme.
