Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Comiskey for sharing two and a half minutes of his time. I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I had hoped the fodder crisis was over and that spring had sprung, but I made six calls to farmers this morning in Galway to see where they were at and the deterioration in the weather over the past 36 hours has made things very difficult yet again.

I hate to say it, but what I learned this morning is that it looks like the crisis is continuing and is worse than I thought. Exceptional circumstances are set to continue with cold weather for the next five days. The feedback I have received from Galway is that the land is so wet, farmers cannot get onto it. Four of the six farmers I spoke to asked whether the Minister could advance the disadvantaged areas scheme payment. I do not doubt the commitment of the Minister and I know he has done incredibly good work with the transport subsidy and welfare.

To counteract what Senator Leyden stated, we need the ISPCA to be very understanding in these circumstances because this is a fodder crisis. It is not about farmers not caring for their animals; it is about people not having access to fodder or cash flow. One farmer told me it is completely weather dependent. The cost of fertiliser is an issue for him and he has already spent €1,000 on it. He asked whether the Minister can intervene in the cost of fertiliser. Grass growth is at least three weeks behind what it should be in Galway. One farmer I spoke to felt the supply of fodder is not equitable, with some farmers having too much while others have none. Another farmer told me he has had to bring his cattle back in because the land is to wet, it is too cold and he is running short of feed again. He also called for the Minister to advance payments. I know the Minister is bound by EU rules but I am putting it to him.

Some farmers went to the mart yesterday and received €620 for animals for which they would have expected to receive €800 because the market is being flooded with cattle. Farmers are under pressure due to a lack of money, fodder and normal grass growth. Their cash reserves have been spent on concentrates and silage, and prices for these have soared. One farmer mentioned that his credit limit was of concern despite the Minister's feedback from the banks. We have had two bad years and it looks like only one cut of silage will be made this year, which will cause another fodder crisis next year, which is a major concern for everyone.

We need an overall plan and not a stopgap measure. I know the Minister is considering this. We must help each other. This is a crisis which is weather-based. We have global warming and changing weather patterns. How will we deal with these? I thought the crisis was over and that the situation was improving but clearly it is not. The Minister may have to consider being more flexible with regard to extending supports.