Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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737. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that his Department is taking in conjunction with the relevant agencies to put adequate supports in place for the farming and livestock sector to ensure sufficient fodder supplies and prevent a fodder crisis in the coming winter months. [26468/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I met with the main farm organisations and Teagasc on 8^thMarch 2022 to discuss the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on Irish agriculture and supply chains.

At that meeting, I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it with preparing an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.  

Following the first meeting of this Committee, Teagasc issued advice to farmers on how to manage their farms during the current grass growing season with a view to securing sufficient fodder for next winter.  The advice includes applying sufficient fertiliser on grassland and crops, on the basis of a fodder budget for winter 2022 so as to ensure sufficient fodder is conserved. In addition, Teagasc commenced a nationwide advertisement campaign giving advice to farmers along with extensive engagement with farmer clients. 

The Deputy will be aware that on 3^rdMay 2022, I brought a Memorandum for Information to Government on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, with the objective of supporting farm families to conserve silage and hay during summer 2022, to ensure that there are sufficient stocks of fodder in the country for next winter.

This scheme will require approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is continuing to engage with that Department on the funding aspects of the scheme. I expect to announce further details on the proposed scheme shortly. 

The proposed Fodder Support Scheme is in addition to the €12.2 million Targeted Intervention Package I announced on 22^ndMarch 2022. That financial support and those currently under discussion will assist farmers in providing sufficient fodder for winter 2022. 

I remain committed to standing by our farm families during this time of crisis.