Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020
271. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide financial support to the tillage sector in view of the challenges resulting from the exceptionally wet autumn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27537/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the difficulties encountered by the tillage sector primarily because of poor weather conditions over the last twelve months. As a result of these conditions, it is expected that levels of both grain and straw will be less than the 2019 output but I welcome the recent predictions that the harvest will not be as bad as earlier anticipated.
There are many supports available to the tillage sector from my Department with, for example, specific measures in the GLAS scheme e.g. arable margins, cover crops and an exemption from the 3-crop rule for specialist malting barley growers. Other supports put in place in recent times include:
- The 2017 Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme
- The Brexit Loan Scheme
- The Coupled Protein Aid Scheme worth €3m annually to tillage farmers
- The 2018 fodder production incentive measure for tillage farmers
- The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) under TAMS
- Exemption to the crop diversification requirements as part of Greening for 2020 on a case-by-case basis.
My Department also provides an independent free crop variety evaluation programme and a seed certification scheme in support of the sector.
These schemes and supports provide significant investment in tillage and underpin the Governments ongoing commitment to this important area.
Last July, my predecessor launched the Tillage Industry Ireland report into the Irish Tillage Sector. My Department will examine the content of the report and engage with Stakeholders as appropriate.
In that context, I together with my officials will continue to monitor the current situation as future details in relation to the 2020 harvest come to hand.
