Written answers
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Fodder Crisis
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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995. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to allowing fodder support scheme applications from farmers who did not participate in the 2022 scheme, given there are young farmers who were unable to apply for the 2022 scheme and who were locked out of the scheme in 2023 and subsequent years due to eligibility rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14722/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, in June 2022 I announced the launch of a €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.
Following the success of this 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, in November 2022 I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
Both schemes were a recognition of the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact that had in terms of access to imported animal feed and on the price of agricultural inputs, especially chemical fertiliser. There are no current plans to reopen the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
Over recent months, there has been exceptionally poor weather, and to aid farmers with fodder shortages I have announced a Fodder Transport Measure on the 9th April. This measure will further assist farmers through a transport subsidy where they are facing fodder shortages on their farms. Full details of this scheme are available on my Departments website at gov - Fodder Transport Support Measure (www.gov.ie).
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