Support measure to help with Fodder Transport

The announcement last week of additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions through the Fodder Transport Support Measure has been widely welcomed.

Co-op’s throughout the country will be facilitating the support scheme and farmers who are experiencing a significant forage shortage on their holding will be eligible to apply. Any forage purchased prior to March 31st (inclusive) is ineligible for the scheme.

A financial contribution is being provided to offset transport costs of hay, fodder beet, straw and silage for feeding, where this involves a distance of more than 75kms. The delayed turn out to grass because of the very poor ground conditions has meant that some farmers are now running out of fodder and those eligible will receive a financial contribution towards offsetting the costs of transport of fodder.

The financial transport contribution available under the measure are as follows: Hay/Straw for feeding (bale size - 4x4) €20 (Transport Support per Bale/Tonne); Haylage/silage 4x4 €30; Haylage/silage 8x4x4 €40; Hay/straw for feeding 8x4x4 €35; Hay/ straw for feeding 8x4x3 €30; Hay/straw for feeding 6x3x2 €8; Pit Silage, €40 per tonne; Fodder beet €40 per tonne.

Financial assistance under the Fodder Transport Support Measure is payable in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector.

In many of these cases the delayed turn out to grass because of the very poor ground conditions has meant that some farmers are now running out of fodder. CONTINUED SUPPORT

In launching the measure, Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, acknowledged that a key issue to resolve was the cost of transporting fodder between those areas where it was plentiful and those where it was scarce:

“Teagasc analysis has shown that fodder remains available across the country, but I am conscious of the significant additional cost to farmers where fodder has to be transported over significant distance to areas where it is most needed.

“This measure builds on my early supports to farmers, through a pause on all non-essential inspections, and the co-ordination of advisory support to farmers by Teagasc to facilitate fodder transfers and advice over the recent period,” he said.

The National Fodder and Feed Security committee has met twice recently and has helped to ensure a co-ordinated response to the fodder problem across all the main stakeholders including Teagasc, feed merchants, co-ops, banking and the farming bodies.