Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is correct that we must seek to be self-sufficient and grow all our own fodder. That is the ideal situation. We will monitor the situation in regard to the nitrates directive and keep in touch with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in that regard. I urge farmers to engage with Teagasc, whose advisers are the people with expertise in these matters. Their assistance will be vital, particularly in the next two to three months when more fodder can be grown. By also addressing the issue of fertiliser application and the credit situation, I am confident that we can arrive at a situation in which we will have good silage crops and hopefully sufficient fodder for next year. A good harvest would help by ensuring there is an abundance of grain and hence of straw. We are hopeful of a good end to the year.