Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to set up a task force comprising farming organisations (details supplied) and officials from his Department for farmers who are facing into a difficult winter and spring due to volatile weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48503/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is clear that weather conditions have been challenging this Autumn creating difficulties for farmers in the Western and heavier land types.

Grass growth rates through the autumn have been ahead of last year. However the poor weather resulted in cattle being housed earlier than normal in places, particularly on the heavier soils; it also affected late cut silage making operations.

It appears that there are supplies of fodder in the form of silage and hay 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 early 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, have injected over €800 million into the Irish rural economy. These payments are providing a very welcome boost for Irish farm families and will help to finance fodder purchase where necessary.

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