Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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178. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 782 of the 11 June 2013, if he will consider under the fodder transport scheme reimbursing the verifiable transport costs incurred whilst importing fodder by individual farmers who imported fodder independent of the Dairy Co-operatives and prior to the announcement of his Departments initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29515/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The principal purpose of the fodder transport scheme that I announced in April was to contribute to the transport costs of importing fodder into the country and to provide assistance to farmers to secure adequate fodder to feed their animals. The Scheme provided financial assistance to farmers for the purchase of fodder and was operated largely through the Dairy co-operatives. The scheme operated very successfully and has contributed significantly to alleviating the difficulties encountered by many farmers. The scheme is now closed but the ongoing availability of fodder is being monitored by my Department. It is not proposed to extend retrospectively the scope of the scheme.