I support the impassioned plea made by my colleague, Senator Denis O'Donovan, on the fodder crisis and the amendment proposed to the Order of Business. I inform the House that this very serious issue was raised at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this morning. It was traumatic to hear the distressing tales from the south of the country, in particular, where the weather has been so horrendous in recent months. Families are in distress such that they cannot afford to buy silage and hay. The reason I am supporting Senator Denis O'Donovan is to call for solidarity in the farming community because one of the issues which arose at this morning's meeting was that there seemed to be exploitation of farmers in distress by unscrupulous marketeers, which is the only way I can describe them because I do not know from where they come, but they are reportedly selling bales of silage for upwards of €50 or €60, which is exploitation at its worst. I hope somebody will report not only on this call for a debate but also on the call for solidarity in the farming community and that at this time of crisis those with surplus fodder will release it at reasonable prices to those farming families in serious distress which is being added to by the fact that the banks are not lending money. The figures about which we are talking are significant. It has been estimated that in the case of an average holding, a farmer may have to find upwards of €10,000 to maintain proper feeding standards.

I support the call by Senator Mooney for solidarity among the farming community. Yesterday I supported the call by Senator O'Donovan for a debate on the crisis in the farming community. I welcome the statement made by the Minister yesterday when he said that he had made personal contact with the banks and the merchants asking that the farming community be treated fairly and with consideration and compassion. I hope the period of distress will be short-term. In the next couple of weeks the farming community should be in a better position when the grass begins to grow and the weather improves. It is appalling that unscrupulous people make money on the back of struggling farmers at this time. I strongly urge the IFA to become actively involved and ensure solidarity in its community in order that better-off farmers assist those in dire need. It is appalling that animals are dying of hunger in this day and age. I hope merchants will play their part in helping farmers.