Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will deal first with the dairy farmers and then I will deal with the dry stock or livestock farmers who do not make hay or silage themselves.

With regard to dairy farmers, my core objective for the scheme was to ensure that, as a country, we produced enough fodder to ensure we are fodder and food secure this autumn, winter and spring, and that every farmer would be supported in the making of hay or silage.

The evidence from Teagasc is that, thankfully, dairy has had one of its best years ever for incomes, where milk is at a record price. The feedback on activity on dairy farms is that there was no issue in respect of making fodder. Activity levels were as good as ever and the increased income for farmers was out-stripping the increased costs of inputs. That is good to see.

The situation was different in beef and sheep and I brought in the scheme to support them with their additional costs to ensure there would not be a reduction in fodder making. That benefits everyone right across the system because if we have enough fodder in the country; every sector benefits, including the dairy sector. This keeps the price of fodder manageable.

On that very point, very briefly, those who do not make fodder themselves benefit from that being the case. If we can keep fodder prices manageable by having a good supply in the country, those who do not normally make fodder have access to it, and not at extreme prices because of supply and demand challenges.

Everyone benefits if we have enough fodder and I have directed the funding where it was most needed to ensure fodder is made.

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