Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1924. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a silage conservation support for farmers to address the costs of fertiliser and fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/22]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that I met with the main farm organisations and Teagasc on 8th March 2022 to discuss the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on Irish agriculture and supply chains.
At that meeting, I established the 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 and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
Following the first meeting of this Committee, Teagasc issued advice to farmers on how to manage their farms during the current grass growing season with a view to securing sufficient fodder for next winter. The advice includes applying sufficient fertiliser on grassland and crops, on the basis of a fodder budget for winter 2022, ensuring that sufficient fodder is conserved.
I acknowledge that fertiliser has reached record price levels. However, in conjunction with good grassland management, sensible use of fertiliser represents the best way of securing fodder for next winter. In addition, the price of grain has risen in line with fertiliser prices, so relying entirely on imported concentrates is not a reliable alternative to securing home grown fodder.
As the Deputy may be aware, I announced a Targeted Intervention Package on 22nd March 2022 framed around three pillars to support 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 through the Tillage Incentive Scheme and introduces supports to encourage farmers to grow more protein crops in 2022. Supporting domestic production of tillage and protein crops will reduce Ireland’s reliance on imported feed materials.
The package also includes a Multi-Species Sward Initiative and a Red Clover Silage Measure, to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming, and thereby reduce nitrogen fertiliser usage, while maintaining forage yields.
The financial supports outlined will assist farmers in offsetting the significant increases in farm inputs experienced by farmers presently and in assisting to ensure sufficient fodder for winter 2022. I assure the Deputy that I am committed to helping and assisting our farmers through this challenging period and both I, my Department and the National Fodder and Food Security Committee are continuing to monitor the situation.
