Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To deal with the latter point, one of the points I made to the farm organisation leaders in the north west on Monday evening last was that there are things the State can do and we are open to exploring all of those issues. However, people would not thank me much if I went in with the prescription ahead of having met the people directly representing those at the coal face of the current difficulty.

One of the points I made to the farm organisations in respect of things the State and others can do was in respect of mental health issues. I appreciate that if anyone is facing financial difficulties in an industry that is primarily practised in isolation inside the farm gate, there is generally a reluctance - among men in particular - to put their hand up and say they are facing a particular difficulty. There is a role the farm organisation members can deliver, as an outreach opportunity, to their neighbours and friends in these difficulties. It does not take an enormous amount of local knowledge to be able to identify those in current difficulty. I accept this goes beyond the tillage sector and applies to some areas where cattle have been kept in, particularly on heavy ground where rainfall has been quite high for June, July and August. Farm organisations can do that well.

In my Department, through its knowledge transfer groups, which reach some 28,000 farmers, I have always made the point that one of the great values of those schemes is not just in respect of the knowledge they impart to the group, which is facilitated by Teagasc or private advisers, but also the social outlet they give. That type of assistance and outreach is something the State cannot replicate but it is critically important. I encourage the good neighbourliness that is alive and well in rural Ireland in this regard.

I take Deputy Fitzmaurice's point about the current difficulties. As I said, we agreed some weeks back with the farm organisations to convene this forum, and it was decided for 6 October because it would give an opportunity to have a full overview of the harvest situation by that date. I appreciate that, almost since the date we decided to convene this, the weather has been rather inclement, with the exception perhaps of the past 48 hours. Nonetheless, it will give us an opportunity to discuss the bigger picture in regard to the situation on the ground. Given the weather, I appreciate we are looking at sprouting, high moisture content and a difficulty in baling straw.

On the broader fodder issue, I do not think it is an issue of not having sufficient fodder nationally, as was the case a number of years ago, but that we do not have the fodder in the right geographical locations. This is something my Department has knowledge of in respect of its previous involvement. I want to go into that forum with an open mind, to talk to all of the parties and see where we go after that. I thank both Deputies for raising the issue.

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