The details of the fodder transport scheme have been described as “impractical and unworkable at farm level” by the IFA’s Connacht chair Padraic Joyce.

Joyce said that there is confusion as to who can qualify and which counties are eligible, and the lack of clarity is adding to the stress on farmers who don’t have enough fodder.

“The minister has to convene the Fodder Action Group immediately and the Department has to provide clarity on how the scheme will operate. The condition around sourcing fodder through a co-op is too vague, as it says ‘forage primarily sourced through co-ops will be eligible’,” Joyce told the Irish Farmers Journal.

He also claimed the 100km rule to avail of the subsidy was too inflexible.

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