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

In making her suggestion about the underspend she is suggesting just that; therefore, it is necessary to be careful. She was seeking guidance on what a farmer needed to do to avail of the scheme. Farmers need to complete a fodder budgeting form which is available through their Teagasc adviser who will certify that a farmer has insufficient fodder and will need assistance. The farmer will then need to submit a completed application form from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as a completed co-operative declaration of transport and purchase of forage. They are the three steps. Teagasc will have to certify that there is a fodder shortage to ensure those not deemed to have a need will not piggyback on the system. There are localised pockets where there are needs. This applies in areas in which there is heavy ground, in particular. However, the issue is not widespread regionally. I made the point to Deputy Charlie McConalogue earlier that there were more than 750 people in the region to which Deputy Niamh Smyth alluded who were offering silage for sale in the locality on some of the online platforms available for trade in farming services. The scheme is to assist with the cost of longer hauls where fodder is not available locally.

That evidence would suggest there is sufficient fodder in the region at present.

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