Matt Carthy
Ceist:1186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation for the straw incorporation scheme in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52425/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 November 2021
Ceisteanna (1186)
Freagraí scríofa
The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is a pilot agri-environmental initiative first operated this year to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating the straw from eligible crops back into the soil.
The SIM has proven to be a very successful pilot with strong uptake from farmers.
The introduction of the Measure formed part of the suite of measures by the Department to ensure continued support to the tillage sector during the transition period leading up to the new Common Agricultural Policy programming period.
Overall, 1,879 farmers have availed of the Measure this year which saw just over 37,000 hectares chopped resulting in estimated payments of €8.5 million which in due course will be issued by the Department.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have secured funding for the Measure in 2022 as announced in the recent budget, with details to be announced shortly.