Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil Brendan Smith T.D. has been informed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine that towards the end of July a total of €162,000 had been issued to 286 farmers under the Fodder Transport Support Measure.

The Agriculture Minister was responding to Deputy Brendan Smith’s Parliamentary Question in Dáil Éireann in relation to the total cost of the Scheme and he stated that 609 applications had been received and that further payments would issue.

“It is clear that the Government’s response to the fodder crisis of Spring 2018 was totally inadequate. The Scheme, when it was belatedly introduced, was too restrictive depriving farmers in this region of some financial assistance towards the cost of transporting fodder from Northern Ireland.  Farmers who had, out of necessity, purchased fodder before the Scheme details were announced were also deprived of some assistance towards the substantial transport costs involved.

It is essential that the Government puts in place without further delay a strategy to ensure that there are adequate fodder supplies/feedstuff available for the coming Winter and Spring periods”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith.

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For Written Answer on : 24/07/2018

Question Number(s): 1987 Question Reference(s): 34888/18

Department: Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.

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 QUESTION

 To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the cost of the fodder transport subsidy scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

 A total of 609 applications have been received under the Fodder Transport Support Measure. Payments under the Measure commenced on Tuesday 17 July with €162,000 issuing to some 286 farmers. As additional cases become clear for payment, further pay runs will be put in place as required.