Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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680. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a shortage of soya products is impacting on animal feed supplies; the measures adopted by his Department to support farmers affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2310/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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While there are currently no indications of significant challenges in the overall availability of animal feeds at present, there has been a temporary reduction in the level of imports of soya products in recent weeks mainly due to a temporary disruption in supplies from Argentina which is the main exporter of soya. Access to sources of protein, including Soya for inclusion in concentrate feeds, is important for the Irish feed industry.

In this respect, I understand that importers of feed materials are currently sourcing alternative short-term supplies of soya and other protein products. In the meantime, feed mills are also using alternative ingredients to ensure their products provide the required protein content.

Exports of soya have now resumed and supplies are expected to return to normal levels over the next month or so.