Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
465. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if issues in relation to straw chopping (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8085/24]
View answerSince being introduced as a pilot scheme in 2021, the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) has proved popular with tillage farmers. It is an important support measure under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 and contributes to meeting our climate and sustainability objectives. Government policy ambition aims to grow the tillage sector in line with targets under the Climate Action Plan and the Straw Incorporation Measure contributes to this objective and improves our tillage soils making them more productive overtime.
The Straw Incorporation Measure is a voluntary measure and tillage farmers are generally appreciative of the opportunity to avail of the measure when demand from the straw market is weak. As the Deputy outlined, straw is expected to be in demand this year. In a year with increased demand, even moderate prices for straw would provide a better financial return to tillage farmers than the Straw Incorporation Measure. The area of straw incorporated under the Straw Incorporation Measure in 2024 is expected therefore to reach a balance with demand from the livestock sector and will largely depend on the straw market at harvest time. The Straw Incorporation Measure provides flexibility for farmers where there is the option to withdraw land parcels if straw is needed for animal welfare reasons such as livestock bedding or feeding.
From the outset, the area entered for the Straw Incorporation Measure was always expected to fluctuate from year to year, and in 2024, it is expected to be lower than 2023. I would encourage livestock farmers to engage with their tillage farming colleagues and secure straw supplies early in 2024. I believe most tillage farmers realise that selling straw is an important part of their long-term business model and they are more than willing to deal with reliable customers.
