merrion street

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD has today announced that he is extending the imported fodder transport scheme for a further 2 weeks and doubling the fund to €2m.

Following consultation with Met Eireann, Co Ops, the farming organisations Teagasc and the advice of officials working on the ground, the decision was taken to allow a further two weeks for fodder to be imported into the country with a doubling of the transport subsidy fund. Fodder, eligible under the scheme and delivered into the country in the next two weeks will be covered up to May 24th. The Minister said “This decision was taken after consultation with those working on the ground and we will continue to monitor the situation on a day by day basis. I understand that this remains a very challenging situation for farmers and this extension will allow both farmers and Co Ops to have some certainly around supply of fodder over the coming weeks”.

The Animal Welfare Hotline remains open all weekend for those with emergency situations or who need information about where to source fodder: 1850 21 19 90 (Low-call).

Further information on the scheme is available from the Department website. http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/fodderassistanceapril2013/