Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Like previous speakers, I commend the Minister for his reaction to the fodder crisis and, in particular, the introduction of the fodder transport subsidy scheme, an innovative, important and necessary measure. I also thank him for extending the scheme to 10 May and his clarification that fodder purchased in advance of that date will be covered by the scheme. That, too, is an important measure.

Crises of this scale require a novel approach and for people to work together. Nowhere in the country was this more on display than at Shannon Airport a couple of weekends ago. I commend the new management of Shannon Airport and Clare IFA for their work in this regard. Members may not be aware that over one weekend more than 1,000 bales were harvested on the land bank surrounding Shannon Airport and distributed by the IFA, through its networks, to farmers across County Clare, many of whom were in dire need of it. It was encouraging in these difficult times to see people engaged in work from which they received no benefit but which helped somebody else. I commend Clare IFA for its work in that regard. Similarly, when the IFA involved itself in the task of gritting roads, it did so at a very busy time and for no reward other than helping neighbours.

That said, the fodder crisis this year is almost over. We now need to worry about what will happen next year. I know few farmers in east Clare which was not as badly affected as west Clare who have closed land at this point to have silage next year. Ordinarily a first cut would be made in in a couple of weeks time, but farmers simply have not had an opportunity to close land yet. Barring a miracle, it is almost inevitable that there will be another fodder crisis next year. Therefore, we need to start planning for it now.

I commend and thank Fianna Fáil for raising this issue. It is important we discuss it. That said, I do not agree on the need for the establishment of a special unit in the Department to oversee and co-ordinate activitiy in this regard. The days of special units have come and gone. Many of the previously established special units delivered little. Deputy Simon Coveney has the honour of being Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He needs to add this issue to his many priorities and ensure we will be prepared for next year. As Deputy Seán Kyne and other speakers mentioned, including on the Opposition benches, there is every possibility that next year there will be more stock in the country than there will be fodder for, particularly if weather conditions are not ideal.

I commend the Minister on the initiative of getting live exports moving again, with boats leaving Ireland with live exports. As Deputy Kyne said, beef prices were relatively high through the winter. No farmer anticipates his cattle are going to starve and, therefore, some were not able to plan, but for those who could afford the meal - Deputy Healy-Rae alluded to the increasing prices for meal - and were able to plan there were high beef prices. One of the few things the Minister has at his disposal to keep the beef factories honest or to keep them on a straight line and to make sure they do not pull prices at every available opportunity is a proper live export trade. I am glad he has ensured our live export trade is commencing again and that boats with live exports will leave Ireland. This ensures there will be not only one avenue for our beef, that of the processors, but that there will be a second option available to farmers.

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