Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has quantified the impact of inclement weather conditions on the agri-food producing sector; if he envisages any particular intervention directly or through the aegis of the EU which might be beneficial to the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47933/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has studied the impact of poor weather conditions on the agri-food sector; if any particular intervention seems possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47934/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 896 together.

This year has indeed been a very difficult one for the farming sector as a result of inclement weather. The very wet weather during the summer months resulted in reduced grass growth and a reduction in yield and quality across a variety of crops including cereals, potatoes and vegetables. In many cases, housing of stock has taken place during the summer with the feeding of forage earmarked for the winter period. There was also a significant reduction in the volume of winter feed saved on many farms with farmers also increasing the feeding of additional concentrates.

With regard to the cereal sector, yield and quality of crops and wheat in particular were significantly reduced compared to previous years. Prices remained strong throughout the harvest period, however, helping to offset some of the potential losses to growers.

Poor ground conditions in late September and on into October has also hindered autumn sowing. There will still be an opportunity next spring to make up some of this shortfall through increased sowings of spring wheat and spring barley if weather is good and grower sentiment remains positive. Supplies of winter wheat seed are well below average because the quality of the seed crop was seriously affected. My Department succeeded in obtaining a derogation from the EU Commission to allow seed of a lower germination capacity to be planted. This derogation together with the lower planting levels has alleviated problems with seed supplies this autumn.

Unfortunately the EU Commission does not provide funding to compensate for losses that arise due to the adverse weather conditions experienced this summer and due to the financial crisis the Irish Exchequer is not in a position to assist either. The European Union Solidarity Fund is aimed primarily at providing funding to Member States in the event of a natural disaster.

In order to ease the financial pressures on farmers as a result of the bad weather, I sought and received EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. A total of €538 million issued last month under the Single Farm Payment to almost 88% of all applicants, when taken with the €173 million which has issued since 26 September 2012 in respect of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, represents a significant financial boost for both the individual farmers who will receive these payments and also the wider rural economy. My aim continues to be to maximise payments to farmers at the earliest possible date, subject to the necessary requirements of the Schemes being met.

In addition, following contact with my colleague Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, an extension was granted to spread chemical and organic fertilisers to 30^th September and 31^st October 2012 respectively. This was aimed at alleviating some of the difficulties arising from housing of livestock over the summer and to allow extended autumn grazing of grass and a positive impact on the fodder shortage.

While the extended period eased the overall situation regarding the management of slurry, difficulties still persisted for farms located on heavier soils, due to animals being housed earlier and for long periods. In response to this, Minister Hogan announced on 26^th October 2012 a number of further measures to alleviate the difficulties experienced by farmers. These can be summarised as follows:

- The closed period was brought forward to allow spreading from 1 January 2013 in Zones A and B and from 15 January 2013 in Zone C.

- The spreading of livestock manures produced on farms is now permitted as an exceptional measure during the period 1 November to 16 November inclusive subject to a number of conditions being met.