Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said it is premature to consider the possibility of a shortfall in fodder, but that his department is closely monitoring the situation.

The minister was responding to a question from Sinn Féin’s Matt Carty, who asked if there were concerns of a fodder shortage and if contingency measures will be put in place as a precaution.

Minister Creed acknowledged that farmers had faced a number of extreme weather events over the last decade, from the cold winter of 2009/2010 through to the drought in 2018, which followed a prolonged, wet winter.

Growth

However, he insisted that 2019 had been a good year for grass growth and that significant reserves of fodder were available this year. He added that based on PastureBase Ireland figures, growing conditions had been favourable and farmers had conserved excellent-quality fodder in recent weeks.

“Nevertheless, both I and my officials continue to closely monitor the situation,” he concluded.

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