Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is a looming fodder shortage in the west and north west of the country; the steps his Department is taking to assess the extent of the shortage; his plans to introduce financial aid for persons that are most affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47100/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been closely monitoring the situation. Weather conditions over the past number of weeks were challenging for farmers and this has created difficulties for farmers in the Western and North Western regions.

It would appear that there was abundant grass growth through the autumn time. Data from Pasturebase Ireland indicates that production is running about 1 tonne dry matter per hectare ahead of last year.  However for those farming on heavier land  grazing conditions deteriorated from mid August. This created difficulties for these farmers in terms of  hampering late cut silage making operations and also resulting in cattle being housed earlier than normal in places.

Currently it appears that there are reasonable supplies of feed and fodder available across the country for those farmers who may require to supplement their own fodder supply. However, I have asked Teagasc to work locally in areas with fodder difficulties, to support good budgeting of fodder supplies on farms for the winter ahead. 

The European Commission agreed to my request for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. This has been prompted by the protracted inclement weather conditions and also market difficulties caused by currency fluctuations. This means an increase from 50% to 70% in the rate for the BPS to those applicants whose applications were confirmed fully clear.  These payments were recently issued, and balancing payments will be made with effect from 1 December . There will also be an increase permitted to the advance for Pillar II Rural Development schemes.   

These payments and the payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, are injecting up to €800 million into the Irish rural economy and will provide a very welcome boost for Irish farm families.

Taking account of this, there are no plans at this time to establish a fodder aid scheme. My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation.