Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
604. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme to support farmers that are affected by a shortage of straw in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13433/20]
View answerWhilst there is concern that the reduced level of winter crop sowings and the recent dry spell impacting on spring sown crops will result in lower volumes of straw this year, it is premature to be definitive in terms of straw demand versus availability,in particular given that harvest 2020 has not commenced. Notwithstanding this, 2019 produced an abundance of straw which carried over into this year and will help in offsetting some of the likely demand.
However, both I and my officials will continue to closely monitor the situation.
