Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As stated in reply to the previous question, this has been a really challenging spring. We have worked to support the farming community through it with the fodder transport measure. Teagasc has been working at local level to provide support to farmers to ensure they can get supplies where they were running short. The fodder support measure was a really important one last year. It was crucial in ensuring we had sufficient fodder supplies in the country this year to deal with the unprecedentedly long winter. In many cases, there has been a housing period of up to seven months, starting last September and lasting until this week.

Particularly given the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the challenges it led to in respect of supply chains and the increases in fertiliser costs last year and the year before, I stepped in to ensure we could help to relieve some of the costs for farmers last year to ensure the maximum amount of fodder would be grown, precisely to ensure we would have enough in the event of a long winter and a long housing period such as we have had. Thankfully, that has meant that we have had enough fodder in the country to deal with the situation. That was important.

The funding last year was exceptional and based on the fact that prices, particularly of fertiliser, were exceptionally high as a result of what was happening in international markets.

It was similar to the support the Government provided by means of the exceptional response funding we put in place in respect of the situation in Ukraine, such as for household electricity and energy costs and one-off supports for families through social welfare. We also delivered supports across the economy. In the agriculture sector, that support was provided by means of the fodder scheme. Thankfully, we have seen fertiliser prices drop significantly, although they are still higher than what the long-term average would have been, but I believe much of the pressure has been relieved. We will work to support and advise farmers. We will work with the national fodder committee and Teagasc to make sure the stocks are replenished and that everyone has enough supply for next winter and spring.

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