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

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the words of welcome and Senator Lombard also for raising this matter.

As was the case for many other sectors, agriculture has been affected to varying degrees by a series of weather-related events in recent years. Some of these were localised in extent such as the flash-flooding experience on the Inishowen Peninsula in August of last year. Other events such at the severe flooding of the winter of 2015-16 was regionally focussed, in this case the west and midlands. The winter and spring just past on the other hand were characterised by a prolonged and persistent period of poor weather, in the first instance affecting mainly the west and north west of the country. Following the snow of Storm Emma in March, the situation, particularly as to the availability to fodder, spread to all parts of the country.

Extreme weather events can therefore be anticipated to occur at greater frequency and the agricultural sector is most vulnerable to the effects of these events, which are partially inspired by climate change. My Department is now preparing sectoral climate change plans for the agricultural, forestry and seafood sectors, in line with the national adaptation framework, published earlier this year. A key priority of these plans will be to provide guidance on adaptation planning at farm level to build resilience in the farm sector. It is the building of this resilience that is at the core of my Department's focus in addressing the challenge of climate change.

As occurrences of such events increased in recent years, the response of my Department to each severe weather challenge has been informed by the specific needs of the particular situation and delivered in a timely fashion within state-aid rules that specifically apply to the sector. For example, in response to pressures on fodder supplies, felt initially in the west and north west, caused by a long wet winter and spring, I introduced the national fodder transport support measure in January 2018. As a further support I introduced a fodder import support measure in the first week of April in response to the need for additional sources of fodder from abroad and also to complement the more locally-based fodder transport support measure. These two interventions, working together effectively, addressed issues around fodder availability in the country due to the most recent weather event.

I fully share the view that the agricultural sector must be enabled to sustain itself and build up resilience in the shorter term in the face of external weather challenges. It was for this specific purpose that last May, last month, I requested Teagasc to convene a stakeholder group representative of industry, banks, agricultural media, farming bodies, etc., to co-ordinate advisory messages to farmers this summer concerning replenishing fodder stocks that have been used up. The first meeting was held on 11 May with further regular meetings planned throughout the summer. The message to farmers to harvest sufficient fodder, including a buffer amount, is continuously being amplified across the sector through Teagasc advisers, private advisers, FAS advisers, media, co-ops and banks. I am very strongly committed to the work of this group and linked in by telephone with its most recent meeting which took place yesterday morning, to receive a first-hand update on progress so far and to urge no let up in activity until all issues around fodder security for next winter are fully addressed.

A key information tool in this respect is a survey of the current level of fodder conservation on different farming systems in different regions. This information will help shape the direction and content of the next stage of work by the group. Today I am launching the first of two such Teagasc fodder surveys at Beef 2018, in the Grange research facility.

Sustainability and resilience are not only about fodder but encompass the entire farming activity. In this respect the group is also focusing on best practices in matching livestock numbers with available fodder. Financial budgeting is a key part of fodder budgeting and indeed overall sustainability of the farming system and must be a routine aspect of all farming enterprises.

While outside agencies can provide some support to farming communities in exceptional circumstances, farmers themselves must take appropriate actions to ensure their own resilience and sustainability into the future. Some actions are within the capacity of farmers themselves such as those being addressed by the Teagasc-led group, but others require the availability of specific tools to manage more complex threats, including risks posed by weather events. I have asked my officials to examine options both under the CAP 2020 proposals, but also under existing programmes, that might provide an appropriate risk management option for farmers in light of these increasingly regular weather-related events.