Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reopening the fodder support scheme in 2024 given the fodder shortage experienced this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18827/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15th June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme 2022, which aimed to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) for winter 2022. This was to ensure that Ireland did not not have any animal welfare issue over the 2022 winter/2023 spring and was a direct result of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The impact that this war had on the price of agricultural inputs and in particular chemical fertiliser was really significant, with fertiliser prices rising to a historic high. When applications for the scheme closed, there were approximately 71,000 farmers participating in the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme.
In that 2022 scheme, farmers were able to receive a payment of €100 per eligible hectare of fodder, with a maximum limit of 10 hectares. Ultimately, farmers could have benefited by €1000 each under this scheme.
In November 2022 there was continuing high prices of agricultural inputs required for conserving grass for hay/silage, and I announced the opening of the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme. Approximately 67,000 applied for the scheme and advance payment of 57% or cumulatively €29.9 million was paid out before end of December 2022. A further approximately €20 million has since being paid in balancing payments to eligible cases.
Farmers could obtain very similar benefits to those under the 2022 scheme, with a maximum benefit of €1000 per applicant.
My Department continues to monitor the costs of agricultural inputs and weather related difficulties, but at this time there are no plans to announce a 2024 Fodder Support Scheme.
