Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reduce below seven months the holding period for animals under the 2013 disadvantaged area scheme and revise down the stocking rates in view of the impact that this may have on animal welfare due to the current and projected fodder shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26478/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, as already announced, is focussed on the protection of the smaller and most disadvantaged. It must also be borne in mind that the minimum stocking density requirement is equivalent to one ewe per eligible forage hectare and can not in any way be regarded as onerous. It will be recalled that, in response to budgetary realities, it was decided to re-focus the Scheme, with greater consideration been given to those contributing most to achieving the aims of the Scheme, which are:

- Ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a viable rural society;

- Maintaining the countryside;

- Maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which, in particular, take account of environmental protection requirements.

Given the restrictions faced by those farming in recognised Disadvantaged Areas and mindful of the aims of the Scheme, as outlined, it will be readily appreciated that appropriate stocking levels are crucial. In this regard, balance must be struck between the need to ensure that at least the minimum is done to ensure the land is adequately utilised and grazed, while at the same time being sufficiently aware of the natural constraints. In this regard, it is clear that the minimum stocking levels currently set under the Scheme achieve this twin objective. Thus, the terms of the 2013 Scheme remain as previously announced. Farmers with genuine fodder-related stocking difficulties may avail of the force majeure provisions of the Scheme.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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249. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of aid that has been distributed per county for animal fodder in 2013. [26498/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Fodder Transport Subsidy Scheme had played an important role in contributing to the efforts of recent weeks, with the transport costs of sizeable quantities of fodder being significantly offset by my Department's contribution. While the Scheme itself ended on Friday, 24 May, as an exceptional measure, I announced that any definite purchases that had been placed by that date, but which will be delivered on or before 31 May, will be included under the Scheme. As with all fodder included under this Scheme, only fodder sold to individual farmers is eligible for the transport subsidy.

Application forms (the relevant sections of which were required to be completed by individual farmers at time of purchase), were initially be retained by the Dairy Co-operative/Milk Purchaser/Mart; these are now in the process of being submitted, en bloc, suitably completed and verified, to the Department for checking of individual thresholds and payment. It is intended that only one payment will issue to each Dairy Co-operative/Milk Purchaser/Mart in respect of their submission for aid on behalf of participating farmers. In excess of 2,300 loads of imported fodder have benefited from my Department's contribution to the transport costs under this Scheme; this amounts to in excess of 34,000 tonnes of fodder.