Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the continuing bad weather, stretching back to Summer 2012, the resultant fodder shortage at present and the probable knock on fodder shortage this coming winter and spring 2014, if he will apply to the EU for emergency funding to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21778/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the EU Solidarity Fund, this Fund is, in the main, confined to major disasters which have lasting repercussions on economic stability, living conditions and the natural environment. A natural disaster is considered as 'major' if it results in damage on the State's territory estimated either at over €3 billion (2002 prices), or at more than 0.6 % of its gross national income. I am keeping the funding and fodder situation under review and will react as appropriate to emerging situations.