Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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722. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the bad weather that recently hit Leinster and Munster has affected the fodder transport scheme; if so, the way in which it has been affected; the measures he has put in place to ensure the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12435/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To address an identified shortfall of fodder in certain areas of the West and North-West of the country, I introduced a targeted Fodder Transport Support Measure, operated primarily through the Co-operative structure. The measure provides a contribution towards the cost of transporting fodder from areas of surplus to those areas in need, primarily in the West and North West, based on assessment by Teagasc. This measure applies from January 29 2018 until April 20 2018.

While the areas identified by Teagasc as being the most affected are predominantly located in parts of the West and North West, the measure is not county specific within the region.  This contribution is payable towards the additional cost of transporting fodder sourced through the Co-operative system. Farmers will still pay the cost of the fodder in the normal way. Only the shortfall in fodder will be eligible to receive support under the measure.

It is important to emphasise that this is a very targeted and locally focused measure, centring on areas of fodder scarcity where normal local trading in fodder cannot service. Whilst recognising that the recent bad weather has impacted on the commencement of spring grass growth in many areas of the country, I am satisfied that adequate quantities of fodder remain currently available in the country at present, including that which is required to underpin the Fodder Transport Scheme. My Department will continue to monitor the situation.