Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources have been provided to assist farmers whose herds are restricted and are suffering from the fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department operates a Hardship Grant scheme as part of the TB Eradication Programme. The scheme operates from 1 November to 30 April 2018 and is aimed at assisting eligible herdowners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown.

In response to pressures on fodder supplies, felt initially in the West and North West caused by a long wet winter and spring, a national Fodder Transport Support measure was deemed the appropriate response and was introduced in January 2018. The situation changed quickly following storm Emma in March and fodder shortages spread to the South and remaining parts of the country. At this point, following consultation with Teagasc and industry representatives, importation of fodder was considered necessary to address domestic shortages. As a result, a Fodder Import Support measure was introduced in the first week of April to complement the more locally based Fodder Transport Support measure.

These two interventions working together effectively addressed issues around fodder availability in the country. Grass growth, as confirmed by Teagasc assessments, has continued to improve significantly and livestock are out to graze. However, ground conditions were slow to improve in some areas and in a concluding response to remaining fodder difficulties it was decided to extend both measures by one week until 7th May.