Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be very brief. I want to emphasises what my colleague, Deputy McLoughlin, has said. We are going through a very difficult period in the west and north west, not just for the past week or so. This has been the case for quite a while, because as the Minister is aware, many of our livestock have been housed since last September. It has been a very long winter and many of our farmers are at the end of their tether. I want to make two or three points very briefly. One concerns the fodder transport support measure. It was obviously important to put some scheme in place. This was done at the end of January.

The Minister alluded to this himself. However, on the ground we know there are problems. We also know there is support within communities. Farmers help each other. That is the way it works. However, in future, and in the context of the current crisis, we need a scheme that works for farmers. As an example, Roscommon was in the scheme, and then it was not, even though the press release referred to the west and north west. There was a lot of confusion when it was introduced.

Concern about wetter winters has also been alluded to, as well as more frequent weather events. They are far more the norm than the exception. We are planning ahead for next year but we need to look further. We are seeing the impact of climate change. It has been mentioned that is a priority for Teagasc and it is doing excellent work trying to engage with farmers. Grass10 has been mentioned as one of the measures in trying to ensure greater sustainability etc. Will the Minister outline further measures to inform us as to what will be done in the coming months to allow for more efficient, sustainable practices? Going back to what Deputy Neville has said, there are farmers out there who may not have come forward. It is important we send out the message today that they speak with their farm organisations, which are active on the ground, with Teagasc, with their agricultural consultant or with the Department. It is important that farmers engage because we want to support them and their livelihoods and ensure we keep animal welfare to the fore.