Govt 'won't be found wanting' on fodder supports - Heydon

The Irish government has pledged to support farmers facing significant fodder deficits due to the recent dry spell. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon stated that the government "won't be found wanting" in providing necessary assistance. This comes as the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) reported that 40% of farmers are experiencing these deficits, particularly in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country.

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The point here is Government won't be found wanting, and having elements of support there if they're proven that they're going to have a meaningful impact.

IFA President Francie Gorman highlighted the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that farmers cannot control the weather's impact on grass growth. He described the issue as a major cost and workload challenge for farms. Minister Heydon indicated that the government would consider subsidizing the transportation of fodder from less affected western and northern regions to the eastern and southern areas experiencing shortages.

Heydon also announced the convening of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, set to meet the following day. He assured that government support would be provided if it proved to have a meaningful impact. While acknowledging calls to subsidize fertilizer, Heydon noted that it was not an option for many farmers due to moisture deficits. He expressed a desire to provide such support, linking fertilizer prices to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, similar to fuel prices.

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Farmers are undertaking their own fodder budgets, they're making decisions on their farms there and we will support every intervention that can help address that issue in what is a stressful time for many of those farms.

The department will review data collected by Teagasc, an agricultural research and advisory body. Heydon stated that the government would support interventions that help address the issue, recognizing the stress many farms are under. He also mentioned that the current growing season is not over, and adequate rainfall could improve the situation.

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I want to do that as well because we have seen fertiliser impacted by the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz in the same way fuel prices have been. That's something that I would like to be able to do and have those interventions.