Over 330 apply to Fodder Aid Scheme, new flooding support announced

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has confirmed that more than 330 farmers applied to his Department's Fodder Aid Scheme by the closing date of Friday 22 January. The €2m scheme was announced in the aftermath of the flooding that occurred when a number of consecutive storms hit Ireland over the course of December 2015 and January 2016.

The scheme compensates farmers for direct replacement costs in instances where genuine damage to silage, hay, concentrates or straw has been caused by flooding in these months.

Coveney confirmed the amount of applications to the scheme in a written reply to a parliamentary question put to him by Éamon Ó Cuív on Tuesday. He also said that on-farm verification will take place in the coming week in order to allow for prompt payment.

In addition, he outlined the rest of the emergency schemes put in place to help farmers since the flooding crisis began last year. These include the operation of the animal welfare helpline throughout the flooding period, including on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Also, almost 400t of feed has been provided to 141 farmers in order to avoid animal welfare issues.

Emergency Flood Damage Relief

With regard to the Hardship Recognition Scheme for farmers, which was announced after the government's emergency meeting on flooding in January, Coveney said this will now be called an Emergency Flood Damage Relief measure and will provide further assistance to farmers worst hit in those areas that were most severely affected by the recent floods.

The measure will target the small number of farmers that experienced unique and additional difficulties due to the location of their farms, and particularly their farmyards.

Coveney said he introduced this measure after “visiting the worst affected areas" earlier this month.

"I became aware that in addition to the loss of fodder, a small number of farmers experienced further difficulties on their farms and clearly require some additional assistance," he said.

Covering costs

According to the minister, the measure will provide financial assistance to cover, for example, the uninsured direct costs arising where livestock was lost to the floods. Assistance will also be provided to cover the rental costs incurred where livestock had to be moved off farms and into alternative premises due to potential welfare issues.

Coveney added that in the small number of cases where farms may have damaged structures and fittings, costs incurred in repairing such damage may be eligible for support.

‘It is not possible to address all circumstances of flood damage to farms but the measures I have announced will specifically target those that have borne the brunt of the flooding," the minister said.

Scheme applications

Application forms for Emergency Flood Damage Relief measure will be available on the Department’s website from Thursday 28 January 2016 and from the Department’s local office network. Application forms will also be available from Teagasc offices where advisors will continue to provide one to one advice to those impacted by flooding. On-farm visits will be undertaken by Department personnel in the case of all applications for assistance under these measures to confirm the losses incurred and or the damage sustained. The closing date for applications will be Friday, 12 February.

TAMS opening

In his address to the IFA executive council this Thursday, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny also mentioned TAMS funding for farms needing heavier works related to recent flooding.

"On the longer-term issue where farm facilities have been damaged by floods, then we'll be prioritising by the Department under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme - there is some flexibility in there," he said.

Forestry flooding compensation

Meanwhile, the minister has also indicated that his Department is currently considering financial support for a replanting grant for privately owned forests affected by the winter storms of 2013/2014, which include the major Storm Darwin of early 2014. Coveney said a "final decision on this matter can be expected shortly".