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

As I said to Deputy McConalogue earlier, the scheme I have introduced assists with the transport of fodder over long distances. It may well be the advice available to a farmer is to supplement existing hay or silage fodder he or she may have with stretch rations. That may be the best and most appropriate thing for him or her to do. In the scheme I announced, we are not in the business of purchasing fodder, in the form of silage, hay or straw, or meal. The purchase is still the function of the farmer. We are assisting with transport over longer distances.

See this speech in context