James O'Connor
Question:14. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that he is undertaking to ensure the security of supply of fodder for the coming winter. [38513/22]
View answerThursday, 14 July 2022
Questions (14)
Written answers
Supporting our farm families through this turbulent period remains my number one commitment. The Deputy may be aware that shortly after the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, 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 and tasked it with preparing 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 so as ensure that sufficient fodder is conserved. In addition, Teagasc commenced a nationwide advertisement campaign giving advice to farmers along with extensive engagement with farmer clients.
On the 22nd March 2022, I also announced a Targeted Intervention Package, 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 Tillage Incentive Scheme has a budget of €10 million. The Tillage Incentive Scheme incentivises farmers to grow more tillage crops, at a payment rate of €400 per hectare. Farmers must increase their overall tillage and protein crops on their holding and the additional land payable under the scheme must have been in grassland and other crops in 2021.
Support was also provided to incentivise farmers to grow more protein crops, to reduce Ireland's dependency on imported feed. A rate of €300 per hectare for Protein Aid (eligible crops include beans, peas and lupins) and €150 per hectare for the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme.
The land declared on farmers' 2022 BPS application is the basis for eligibility for these schemes. The formal application for the Tillage Incentive Scheme and the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme opened on 27th June 2022, with a closing date of 20th July 2022. Some 4,000 applicants are eligible for the Tillage Incentive Scheme and some 170 applicants are potentially eligible for the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme.
While the area eligible is still subject to change, it is expected to be circa. 25,000 hectares in the Tillage Incentive Scheme and 1,000 hectares in Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme. The budget for both schemes is expected to be fully utilised.
The March 2022 package also included 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 Deputy may also be aware that in addition to the €12 million already mentioned earlier, on the 14th June 2022 the Government approved a new €56 million Fodder Support Scheme which opened for online applications on the 17th June 2022.
It will remain open for applications until 2nd August 2022. The objective here is to support farm families to conserve silage and hay this year to ensure that nationally we have adequate stocks of fodder over next winter. Areas entered by farmers under the scheme must be cut and conserved as hay or silage by Monday 5th September 2022. To date, over 24,000 applications have been received under this Scheme. Payment will be at the rate of up to €100 per Hectare with a 10 Hectare limit.
I am confident that the various financial supports will assist farmers in providing sufficient fodder for winter 2022. I remain committed in supporting our farm families through this challenging period.