Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered an application under the EU solidarity fund to address some of the costs being incurred by farmers during the course of the recent fodder shortage as a result of prolonged bad weather in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22118/13]

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.