Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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192. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a transport scheme for the delivery of fodder to County Donegal and the north west will be implemented ahead of an impending fodder crisis in view of the fact that transport costs will be higher for farmers in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53300/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is clear that weather conditions over much of this Autumn have been challenging for farmers and created difficulties for farmers particularly in the Western regions and on 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.

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  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. Issuing of these payments commenced after 15 October.

The roll-out of  balancing payments under the BPS scheme has begun and brings the total paid under the Basic Payment Scheme to €1.106 bn, and 121,000 farmers have received a payment to date.  In addition, over 90,000 farmers have been paid a total of €194m under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme to date. Advance payments of €100mn have issued under AEOS and GLAS scheme payments in the last few days.

In order to ensure a co-ordinated approach I recently convened a fodder group which is made up of all the main stakeholders including representatives of feed industry-co-ops, banking, farm bodies etc and the first meeting took place on Monday 11 December chaired by Teagasc.

Arising from the meeting, Teagasc are committed to assessing fodder availability in the south of the country to ascertain what supplies are still available for purchase.

Exploring these avenues means my Department will be fully informed of the situation on the ground and the best possible advice will be provided to farmers re their options.