Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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1169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when then the inter-agency fodder committee will meet again to enable farmers can act early to deal with any shortage of fodder that is expected for this winter and subsequent spring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37243/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The inter-Agency Fodder Committee met on 12 September to discuss the results of the recent fodder survey. The fodder census survey shows that there is an overall average 8% surplus of fodder (silage and hay) across the country. The survey was carried out in the week commencing 1 September by Teagasc and other organisations participating in the inter-Agency Fodder Committee.

The survey noted that with prudent management of existing fodder stocks, along with appropriate supplementation with concentrate feeds, farmers are well positioned to come through this winter. The survey also shows that 72% of farmers said they had a ‘good’ supply of grass going into the autumn grazing period, with a further 28% saying they have ‘normal’ levels of grass available in fields.