IFA president Joe Healy has called on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to review the Government's fodder transport support measure, as fodder shortages are likely to hit certain parts of the country in the wake of Storm Emma.

“Despite obvious and ongoing fodder difficulties on a significant number of farms, only six applications have been made to the scheme,” Healy said.

“It is clear that the scheme does not work for farmers and Minister Creed must come forward with a more meaningful scheme to include meal vouchers, which have proven successful in the past during times of fodder shortage.”

Only six applications have been made to the scheme

Healy pointed to continued land saturation as an ongoing issue for farmers, with spring delayed due to adverse weather conditions and the housing period for stock extended beyond fodder supplies on many farms.

As well as calls for a meal voucher to be introduced, Healy also pointed out that the current scheme did not work for smaller farmers, as the lower limit of €100 of a transport subsidy means that smaller farmers can’t avail of the scheme.

The Government fodder scheme has experienced ongoing calls for review from various farm organisations since it was launched at the end of January.

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