While the two schemes are separate an anomaly has appeared recently. Up to now the criterion used with regard to the feed scheme was quantity but now when they want to use the silage people find that the quality of the grass is bad because additives may not have been used and it is practically useless. These people have been denied feed vouchers because the farm development officers are interested only in quantity, not quality.

I have considerable sympathy with the point made by the Deputy and with the people affected. I had a number of people at my clinics at the weekend who told me that the silage had not developed properly and was not fit for consumption by cattle. Certainly I will review those cases.

It is completely useless.