Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23368/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I announced last Friday the extension of the imported fodder transport scheme for a further 2 weeks and the doubling of the fund to €2m.

Following consultation with Met Eireann, Co Ops, the farming organisations, Teagasc and the advice of officials working on the ground, the decision was taken to allow a further two weeks for fodder to be imported into the country with a doubling of the transport subsidy fund. Fodder, eligible under the scheme and delivered into the country in the next two weeks will be covered up to May 24^th. My Department will continue to monitor the situation on a day by day basis. This remains a very challenging situation for farmers and this extension will allow both farmers and Co Ops to have some certainly around supply of fodder over the coming weeks.

The Animal Welfare Hotline remains open for those with emergency situations or who need information about where to source fodder: 1850 21 19 90 (Low-call).

Further information on the scheme is available from the Department website.