Coveney defends handling of fodder crisis

More than 100 farmers had received emergency aid of between €180 and €1,000 to help in the fodder crisis, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney told the Dáil.

He said over 500 calls had been received to date through the early warning system.

“The vast majority of calls are being adequately supported through fodder being made available under the transport subsidy scheme, but a small proportion of farmers, in need of more substantial support, have been assisted directly by the department,’’ he said.

Mr Coveney said veterinary inspectors continued to be actively engaged in providing emergency assistance.

“No animal should die of starvation in this country and help is available to those farmers who cannot cope. I will continue to work with stakeholders in the sector to get through this difficult period caused by very unusual weather patterns.’’

The Minister was replying to a Fianna Fáil private members’ motion, moved by agriculture spokesman Eamon Ó Cuív, demanding action on the fodder problem. Mr Ó Cuív said the problem was having huge consequences for farmers, with some driven to desperation. “At last, some help has been made available,’’ he added. “But I believe a lot more needs to be done.’’

He claimed the problem should have been foreseen last summer, and said the transport scheme made available by the department should be continued after next Friday.

Mr Coveney recalled that to help alleviate farmers’ difficulties he had announced a €1 million transport fodder scheme, reducing the cost of imported fodder by about a third.

He said any fodder, bought before May 10th and subsequently delivered or sold to farmers, would also be covered by the scheme. Notification and proof of purchase must be provided to the department before Friday to receive preapproval, to be granted on a case-by-case basis.

“The scheme is operating through the dairy co-operatives, but the actual beneficiaries are farmers and primary producers who need urgent supplies of feed,’’ he added.

The Minister said that as of yesterday evening, about 730 loads of hay and maize silage had been imported into the country from the UK and France. A further 170 loads were expected to be delivered by the end of the week.

“I am satisfied that this volume of imports is making a real difference on farms and assisting farmers through the shortage. The extension of the scheme for a further week will build on this and ensure that further supplies are imported.”