Overview
- The Agriculture Minister met farming groups in Celbridge on Tuesday and agreed to reconvene the National Fodder and Food Security Committee to examine immediate and winter measures.
- The Irish Farmers' Association reported that 40% of farmers have a significant shortfall in fodder for next winter and warned many are already using stored winter feed.
- Heydon said the Government will consider paying some transport costs to move fodder from less-affected western and northern areas and that supports will be reviewed for Budget 2027.
- Farming groups have pressed for faster action such as co-funding a fertiliser strategy and a subsidised fodder transport scheme while noting key lenders and suppliers were not at the initial talks.
- Options to buy extra fodder are limited because drought has reduced grass growth across eastern and south-eastern counties and similar dry conditions are affecting supplies in Europe and the UK, raising costs and risks to herd health.