Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last spring was the coldest in 50 years, and as a result we had a very late gathering of fodder. The crucial issue is the application of chemical fertiliser. I welcome the position of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, on the alteration to the nitrates directive, which is very important. The application of bag chemical fertiliser is the most financially efficient method of obtaining fodder. One grows fodder on one's land by purchasing chemical fertiliser. We may need to use more than we did in the past.

That may be necessary, however, because the difficult situation farmers are facing as a consequence of the prolonged poor weather is something that might occur only once in 50 years.

The requirements under the nitrates directives have been alleviated somewhat, but we must go further to ensure farmers have sufficient stores of feed for the winter. There is no point in arriving at the same situation next March and wondering what can be done. As I said, I am an optimist and always hope for the best. The reality, however, is that we must plan for the worst. Farmers have been left with no reserves and we have seen the difficulty and expense of bringing stock over in boats from Britain and the Continent. The easiest and most efficient way of dealing with the problem is to allow farmers to spread a small additional quantity of chemical fertiliser now.