Government allocates €2m for fodder aid scheme after flooding
He said this sum is in addition to the €10m allocated by the Government for a wider humanitarian aid scheme.
Mr Smith said that the decision reflects an assessment undertaken by his department’s inspectorate, which indicated substantial flooding of farmland in the west, midlands and south west.
One of the problems likely to arise in this context would be a fodder shortage. It was difficult, at this stage, to quantify losses, he said.
But the damaged fodder may cause a feed shortage on some livestock farms which, in turn, could give rise to financial hardship and potential animal welfare issues.
“As a matter of urgency, I have asked my officials to prepare the outlines of a targeted fodder aid scheme to provide some financial support towards the purchase of alternative feed material to replace flood-damaged fodder,” he said.
The scheme will require farmers to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage and that it was necessary to purchase feed supplies to prevent animal welfare problems.
IFA president Padraig Walshe said there must be an immediate assessment by Teagasc of the fodder losses on individual farms in the areas affected by flooding.
This must be followed by a Government emergency package, which will address the serious fodder crisis on the farms identified as most in need.
He said the allocation of €2 million for fodder is helpful, but much more resources will be required given the scale of the problem.
Mr Walshe welcomed Mr Smith’s earlier announcement that payments for the next phase of the farm waste management scheme will start in December rather than January.
Also, the additional allocation for REPS will allow all REPS4 farmers to receive their first 75% of the payment due before the end of the year.
This will provide €140m much-needed cashflow on farms at this critical time, he said.
Mr Walshe renewed his call for all outstanding single farm payment, REPS and disadvantaged area payments to be made without delay.
