Irish Horse Board confirm that Fodder Transport support measure is available to horse owners

Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, this week announced the introduction of a Fodder Transport Support Measure to provide additional assistance to farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions. In many of these cases the delayed turn out to grass because of the very poor ground conditions has meant that some farmers and horse owners are now running out of fodder.

The Irish Horse Board can confirm that the Fodder Transport Support Measure announced this week, is available to horse owners.

The Irish Horse Board Director General Alison Corbally said:

“After consultation with the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine on behalf of our members and the equestrian community, The Irish Horse Board are happy to announce that all equine owners who have the mandatory equine premises/herd number can avail of this scheme, which will help greatly towards the cost of transporting hay, haylage and straw during this difficult period.”

Launching the measure this week, the Minister 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.’

The Minister added,

‘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.’

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 75 km. Farmers will be eligible to receive a financial contribution towards offsetting the costs of transport of fodder. 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.

Minister McConalogue went on to stress that in addressing the current challenges, payments from last October to now have injected over €1.8 billion into the Irish rural economy. In addition, the 2023 Fodder scheme issued payments of almost €53m to 67,000 farmers to assist them in making extra fodder. On inspections, the Minister also noted that similar pauses to that announced by DAFM were announced by the HSA and Bord Bia.

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.

Concluding, Minister McConalogue said:

‘As fodder is traded between farms on a regular basis, it is essential that the support measure being announced today is targeted at those who most need it and does not impact on the normal functioning of the market for fodder. I am grateful that the co-op structure is supporting the practical implementation of this measure.’

NOTES

Who is eligible to apply for the Fodder Transport Support Measure?
Farmers, including equine farmers who are experiencing a significant forage shortage on their holding.

Must a farmer have livestock to received aid under the measure?
Yes – the support is being put in place to assist livestock farmers experiencing a fodder shortage.

What are the cut-off dates for the scheme opening, before which fodder is ineligible for the scheme?
Forage purchased prior to the 31st March (inclusive) is ineligible for the scheme.

Where will I source the additional Forage?
Co-op’s throughout the country will be facilitating the Fodder Transport Support Measure.

When and where will application forms be available?
Application forms will be available on the Departments website shortly.

What paperwork is involved?
The following documentation needs to be submitted in order to make a valid application:
1. A completed application form signed by the farmer.
2. A completed Co-op declaration form signed by the co-op.

What is the financial transport contribution available under the measure?

Is pit silage eligible for the measure?
Pit silage, including maize silage, is covered by the measure as are bales of hay, silage, haylage and straw for feeding.

Where do I submit my completed application?
Completed applications are to be submitted to the following address, or by email to foddertransportmeasure@agriculture.gov.ie

Fodder Transport Support Measure,
Direct Payments Unit,
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
Old Abbeyleix Road,
Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Is there a limit to the amount of funding an individual can receive?
Eligibility to receive funding under the Fodder Transport Support Measure 2024 is dependent on the applicant remaining within the €20,000 individual aid limit in the 2021-2024 fiscal years, as set out in Commission Regulation (EU) 1408/2013. Where any aid awarded exceeds this amount, no payment will issue.