Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
886. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the rising costs of raw materials such as wheat for the bakery sector on top of already rising energy and fuel costs; if his Department has engaged with this sector to ensure their businesses are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the price and availability of cereals globally is impacted by the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, both countries being significant sources of global cereal exports.
I am very aware of the rising costs of raw materials, including wheat, for the bakery sector and the Deputy may also be aware that our bread production depends largely on imported flour, which has escalated in price arising from global surge in cereal prices. This, as the Deputy refers to, is on top of higher energy costs arising.
I have taken a number of steps to support our agri-food sector, including:
The Government recently approved a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers, aimed at producing more native crops while reducing dependency on imports and on crops with a low demand for chemical fertiliser.
I have put in place a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
I have tasked a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans.
I have met with members of the Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) and my officials are in regular contact with them and with other food industry representative organisations.
My Department will continue to contribute to the whole of Government consideration and response to the Ukraine crisis.
