A Fodder Support Scheme worth €56 million was launched this week on 15 June, 2022. The aim of the venture is to incentivise farmers, particularly drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) to ensure that the country doesn’t have a shortage over the coming winter and next spring.
The budget for the Fodder Support Scheme is €56 million, with a payment rate of up to €100/ha. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said it would be rolled out “as a matter of urgency. Easing the burden on our farm families as a result of the disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine has been a key priority of mine. This is a crucial scheme which will assist farmers to grow fodder stocks in the country to ensure we have adequate stocks for the winter ahead.”
The details of the scheme will be notified to the European Commission in accordance with the Temporary Crisis Framework (TCF), and approval of applications under the measure will be subject to commission decisions on the scheme.
Minister McConalogue said: “I urge eligible farmers to apply on time and to ensure they read the terms and conditions of the scheme.”
The application system for the scheme will be active in the coming days, and farmers wishing to apply can do so either themselves or through their advisor up until 2 August, 2022.
As part of those conditions, the land area entered under the scheme must be cut and conserved by 5 September. Only farmers with grassland will be eligible to apply, though milk suppliers are excluded. Tillage land and areas classified as ‘Category 1’ under the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme are not eligible.
The maximum area eligible for payment is 10ha per applicant, with a maximum payment of €1,000 (€100/ha). Payments will commence in late November once administrative and compliance procedures and spot inspections have been carried out.