Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fodder schemes introduced in 2018; the number of applications for each fodder scheme by county; the eligible and ineligible applicants, respectively; the number of eligible applicants who were granted funding; and the value of successful applications granted funding by county, in tabular form. [2385/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In response to ongoing pressures on fodder on foot of weather conditions, my Department introduced a series of four Fodder support Measures during 2018 – The Fodder Import Support Measure, The Fodder Import Support Measure Autumn 2018, The Fodder Transport Support Measure and the Fodder Production Incentive Measure for Tillage Farmers 2018.

The Fodder Import Support Measure and the Fodder Import Support Measure Autumn 2018 were designed to facilitate the importation of fodder by approved Co-ops and hauliers and paid a contribution at a set rate towards the cost of transportation. A total of 27 Co-Ops applied under the Fodder Import Support Measure of which some 20 were due for payment having actually imported fodder in compliance with the set criteria. The total amount payable to the Co-ops is €991,697.

Some 18 Co-ops and hauliers have applied under the Fodder Import Support Autumn 2018. In order to optimise the use of the funds available and to ensure funds were available to importers, interim payments totalling €457,610.65 were made to 6 importers during December 2018. Remaining payments under this measure will be paid further to the submission of relevant documentation by the remaining importers.

The details in relation to applicant numbers, and payments under the Fodder Transport Support Measure which are paid direct to individual applicants, are as follows -

Fodder Transport Support Measure

Fodder Production Incentive Measure for Tillage Farmers 2018

The Fodder Production Incentive Measure for Tillage Farmers provides an incentive of €155 per hectare for tillage growers who grow a temporary crop of short rotation grasses for fodder production over the winter months and €100 per hectare for those growing catch crops such as fodder rape, turnips etc.

The first tranche of payments issued in December 2018 to applicants with catch crops. A total of 848 applicants received just over €826,000. Payments to those with grasses cannot commence until after 1 February.

The total number of applications per county and the numbers paid to date are set out below.