Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which extra cereal growing can be further encouraged in the current year with a view to achieving a self-sufficiency in animal feed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17284/22]
View answer454. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which it is anticipated that the growing of more wheat and barley can be used as an animal feed after the current year’s harvest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17285/22]
View answer455. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out the anticipated extra tonnage of barley, wheat and oats that might be grown in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17286/22]
View answer456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which indications have been received regarding the extra acreage likely to be sown under barley, wheat and oats in the current year; the benefit this is likely to have on the need for imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17287/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 to 456, inclusive, together.
In relation to incentivising extra tillage crops this year the Targeted Intervention Package I announced on 22nd March is framed around three pillars which seek to support our vital Irish farming families arising both from events in Ukraine and wider global price volatility. The total package is projected to cost in the region of €12.2 million.
The package seeks to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops for this coming planting season through the Tillage Incentive Scheme. It is proposed to encourage farmers to grow more tillage crops in 2022 versus 2021. Eligible crops include the cereal crops barley, wheat, oats, rye, oilseed rape, maize, beet and potatoes. A payment of €400 per hectare is proposed. The proposed budget for the Scheme is €10 million and is aimed at encouraging an additional 25,000 hectares of tillage crops, which would be a significant increase in tillage area. This level of increase will not achieve self-sufficiency in terms of animal feed due to the high protein requirements of our pig and poultry sector but the extra tonnage of grain will reduce our reliance on imports to some degree.
It is not possible to estimate the extra tonnage likely to be generated from cereal growing in 2022 as we are some time away from harvest and weather coupled with growing conditions for the spring and summer as well as at harvest time will determine the harvest yields and quality. However, I do note that Teagasc has estimated the winter crop area in 2021 to be approximately 5% higher than in 2020 and crops have come through the winter period in good condition, which bodes well for the cereal harvest this year.
In terms of extra incentives, I am committed to encouraging native grain production and both I and my Department will continue to assess and support this objective.
