Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Almost a thousand loads have been imported, with further large quantities expected. The transport subsidy scheme has been doubled, to €2 million, and the closing date is extended to 24 May. The animal welfare helpline is manned on a constant basis and is dealing with calls from farmers with concerns. Some 150 farmers have received direct aid under this system.

The Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Department are liaising directly with the banks, the co-operatives and the suppliers to urge flexibility and favourable credit terms are being offered where that is possible. Over 2,000 payments from the agriculture environmental options subsidy have issued during the past two weeks and together, these payments are valued at approximately €3 million. Some 29,200 of the remaining 30,200 REPS 4 participants have been paid a total of €167 million in respect of the 2012 application period and an additional €1 million will issue this week to a further 200 REPS 4 farmers.

Teagasc has also launched a national campaign aimed at supporting farmers who have a particular fodder crisis. A number of co-operatives have introduced positive measures, such as reduced prices or rebates on compound feed, and interest-free credit for fertiliser. Although there has been some small improvement in grass growth in the past short period, heavy rain has resulted in difficulty in getting animals out on grass in some areas of the country and all efforts will continue to ensure farmers are assisted through what is a difficult period. While current conditions are difficult, the longer term outlook remains good overall and the positive expectations for dairy, beef and lamb prices mean that farmers should see improved return on prices in the period ahead.

The Minister has been very busy, as has the Department, in dealing with the question of the international plan, which is the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and we are hopeful of bringing that to a conclusion during the course of this Presidency, in the next five to six weeks.

See this speech in context