Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to alleviate hardship caused to farmers in the Shannon callows region from Shannon Harbour to Lusmagh, County Offaly who are affected by a severe shortage of fodder due to extensive summer flooding in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am keenly aware of the problems encountered by farmers as a consequence of the bad weather, particularly the harvesting of forage and cereal crops in 2008.

In recognition of these problems, I wrote to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Fischer Boel, seeking approval for the early payment of the 2008 Single Payment. My request was for advance payment at a rate of 50%, payable from 16 October 2008.

The reason for my request was based on the very adverse weather conditions being experienced in Ireland.

I am pleased to say that the European Commission responded favourably and the advance payment of 50% of the Single Payment effective issued from 16 October. I believe that these advance payment went some way in alleviating the difficulties faced by farmers due to the exceptional weather conditions. The balance of Single Farm Payments issued in early December.