Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1891. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the pressure farmers are under with increasing energy costs especially approaching silage season; the steps he will take to support farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19957/22]
View answerSpecifically in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including the agri-food sector. As well as the immediate humanitarian crisis, which must take priority, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained.
At farm level, the crisis is already impacting very significantly on the price of fertiliser, animal feed and fuel. Within my Department, I have established a Rapid Response Team to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
I also established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee headed by Teagasc and tasked it to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
There are sufficient supplies of fertiliser and animal feed at present although price remains a concern. The Government have introduced a temporary reduction in excise duty on fuels, assistance on the price of electricity & gas, and a targeted and temporary grant scheme for hauliers, all of which will be of some assistance to farmers and the agri-food sector.
On 22nd March, the Government approved my proposal for a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers. This package is aimed at producing more native crops and reducing dependency on imports, and on producing crops with a low demand for chemical fertiliser.
Following recent discussions at EU level, including extensive engagement by EU Agriculture Ministers, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 23rd March, via the communication “Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems”, a range of actions to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU in light of rising food prices and input costs. This includes an exceptional aid package to support impacted farming sectors, and I announced on 13th April that Ireland's allocation of €15.8 million in exceptional EU funding would be deployed to support the pig and horticulture sectors.
I continue to engage with all our stakeholders and continue to work across Government, and with our European partners, to respond to this crisis, using all of the tools at our disposal. I am taking a very proactive approach to the crisis in Ukraine. We must protect our farm families and their businesses through this period of significant upheaval.
