Department support to the tune of a €1.5m fodder import scheme has been announced by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
The scheme is available from 5 April until 30 April and application forms must be completed by farmers and co-ops and another form must be completed at the time of sale between co-op/importer and farmer.
The funding for the fodder import scheme is provided under EU de minimis funding, which limits the amount of aid to each farmer to a maximum of €15,000 over a three-year period. This applies to farmers who have previously availed of de minimis funding through schemes.
The Department's transport contribution will be worth €60 per 8x4x4 bale. The price the farmer pays for the forage must clearly exclude the full value of the Department contribution.
What forage is eligible?
Eligible fodder under the scheme includes bales of hay, haylage, silage, alfalfa and any other type of forage deemed eligible by the Department.
Only fodder imported from another EU country can be eligible for aid. Fodder from Northern Ireland will not qualify for aid.
What if the number of applications exceed the budget of the scheme?
In the event of eligible applications in excess of the total budget available for the measure being received, the Department has said it will implement reduced payments as appropriate.
What co-ops are taking part in the scheme?
The Department is to publish a list of participating co-ops/importers.
Dairygold, Glanbia, Lakeland, Drinagh Co-op, Lisavaird and Kerry Group are all taking part in the scheme to date.
More co-ops are expected to follow suit.
What do farmers have to do to apply?
Farmers availing of the scheme must complete a form which can be downloaded here.
The farmer pays the participating co-op/importer for the forage (excluding the transport cost contribution made by the Department) in full.
What details do farmers have to provide?
Their name and herd number.Date of sale of forage to farmer.The number, size and type of bales that each farmer bought from the participating co-op/importerWhat do co-ops have to do to avail of the scheme?
Minister Creed has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that all co-ops can import fodder, not just dairy co-ops.
Co-ops must complete an application form for importing fodder. Imports will be supported by the Department from 5 April to 30 April 2018.
You can download an application form by clicking here.
Completed forms must be emailed to - Fodderimportmeasure@agriculture.gov.ie or posted to Fodder Import Measure, Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Government Offices Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Sale declaration form
A sale declaration form must be completed by both the farmer and co-op/importer once a sale has been made.
Copies of the form must be maintained by the co-op/importer for at least 12 months. Details of the quantity and type of fodder must be included on the form.
You can download an application form by clicking here.
Will inspections apply to the scheme?
The Department has said that applications will be subject to verification, including co-operative/importer inspections and on-farm inspections will take place where necessary, by the Department of Agriculture. A single payment will be made to the approved participating co-op/importer.
Read more
Fodder crisis: €1.5m for import scheme
Over 500 farmers in need of fodder contact Teagasc
Department support to the tune of a €1.5m fodder import scheme has been announced by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
The scheme is available from 5 April until 30 April and application forms must be completed by farmers and co-ops and another form must be completed at the time of sale between co-op/importer and farmer.
The funding for the fodder import scheme is provided under EU de minimis funding, which limits the amount of aid to each farmer to a maximum of €15,000 over a three-year period. This applies to farmers who have previously availed of de minimis funding through schemes.
The Department's transport contribution will be worth €60 per 8x4x4 bale. The price the farmer pays for the forage must clearly exclude the full value of the Department contribution.
What forage is eligible?
Eligible fodder under the scheme includes bales of hay, haylage, silage, alfalfa and any other type of forage deemed eligible by the Department.
Only fodder imported from another EU country can be eligible for aid. Fodder from Northern Ireland will not qualify for aid.
What if the number of applications exceed the budget of the scheme?
In the event of eligible applications in excess of the total budget available for the measure being received, the Department has said it will implement reduced payments as appropriate.
What co-ops are taking part in the scheme?
The Department is to publish a list of participating co-ops/importers.
Dairygold, Glanbia, Lakeland, Drinagh Co-op, Lisavaird and Kerry Group are all taking part in the scheme to date.
More co-ops are expected to follow suit.
What do farmers have to do to apply?
Farmers availing of the scheme must complete a form which can be downloaded here.
The farmer pays the participating co-op/importer for the forage (excluding the transport cost contribution made by the Department) in full.
What details do farmers have to provide?
Their name and herd number.Date of sale of forage to farmer.The number, size and type of bales that each farmer bought from the participating co-op/importerWhat do co-ops have to do to avail of the scheme?
Minister Creed has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that all co-ops can import fodder, not just dairy co-ops.
Co-ops must complete an application form for importing fodder. Imports will be supported by the Department from 5 April to 30 April 2018.
You can download an application form by clicking here.
Completed forms must be emailed to - Fodderimportmeasure@agriculture.gov.ie or posted to Fodder Import Measure, Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Government Offices Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Sale declaration form
A sale declaration form must be completed by both the farmer and co-op/importer once a sale has been made.
Copies of the form must be maintained by the co-op/importer for at least 12 months. Details of the quantity and type of fodder must be included on the form.
You can download an application form by clicking here.
Will inspections apply to the scheme?
The Department has said that applications will be subject to verification, including co-operative/importer inspections and on-farm inspections will take place where necessary, by the Department of Agriculture. A single payment will be made to the approved participating co-op/importer.
Read more
Fodder crisis: €1.5m for import scheme
Over 500 farmers in need of fodder contact Teagasc
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