Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue because it presents me with the opportunity to clarify a number of matters. It is rare that I am asked during a Topical Issue debate to do something which I already did the day before. However, that is the case in this instance. Yesterday, we extended the deadline relating to the transport subsidy for an additional week until 10 May. That said, this is a good time to explain to people the other things that are happening.

This is a genuine crisis for many farmers and it has resulted in a great deal of stress in a large number of farm households throughout the country. My Department has been involved in trying to manage this very difficult situation for many months. This situation did not just arise in the past two weeks. Last year's very poor summer - with high levels of rainfall and a lack of sunshine - resulted in poor and smaller quantities of silage. We were aware in August and September of 2012 that we were going to incur huge expense in the context of being obliged to supplement the feed for beef and dairy herds through the winter. The onset of winter came early, which meant that grass growth ceased earlier than normal. In addition, it was extremely wet and people were obliged to bring their animals indoors. Some individuals had to keep their animals indoors during the summer and the autumn. We worked with farmers, in conjunction with Teagasc, through the winter months to extend and maximise the potential of their fodder. However, the winter lasted six weeks longer than normal. As a result, grass growth is five weeks behind the level at which it should be at this time of year. That has resulted in a real and measurable fodder shortage with which we are trying to deal.

In the context of our response to the crisis, any farmer who is in an emergency situation and who is of the view that he or she cannot feed his or her cattle because he or she cannot access or cannot afford to buy fodder should contact my Department immediately on Callsave 1850 211 990. No animal should starve as a result of a lack of fodder. We will intervene to ensure that animals do not starve and we will pay for the feed required. The Department has received over 400 calls to that number. Approximately 60 of these related to extreme situations in which we were obliged to intervene through our local veterinary offices in order to ensure that animals were fed. We make such interventions on a confidential basis and, in such circumstances, farmers should feel comfortable contacting us. We referred the other 300 plus cases to co-ops which are importing and providing feed.

What has happened in recent weeks in the agrifood industry has been extremely impressive. People and organisations have come together and the dairy co-ops have already imported more than 300 loads of hay. Each of the 20 bales contained in these loads can feed approximately 150 animals a day. This means that, to date, 500,000 animals have been fed by means of the hay that has been imported. In addition, there has been a significant increase in the amount of maize being imported by Glanbia through Dublin Port. The response has been quick and it is being encouraged by our transport subsidy, which has been extended for an extra week. We have informed non-dairy co-ops that want to bring in large quantities of feed that if they can provide the same type of billing system as that used by the dairy co-ops and if there is a genuine lack of availability of hay through such co-ops in their areas, then we will deal with them on a case-by-case basis.

There is assistance available for farmers who are in emergency situations. These individuals should contact the Department. I can inform farmers who are seeking additional hay that there is more on the way. The shipments that will arrive next week will represent a significant step up on the amounts already imported. In the meantime, grass has begun to grow again. Roughage is the issue when it comes to herds. Our focus in the context of spending public moneys has been to deal with the problem that exists, namely, the need to import large volumes of hay into the country. I am glad to inform the House that our efforts in this regard are working.

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