The Targeted Intervention Package I announced on 22nd March is framed around three pillars which seek to support our vital 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 and is open to existing tillage farmers.
The package seeks firstly to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops for this coming planting season through the Tillage Incentive Scheme. The Scheme encourages farmers to grow more tillage crops in 2022 versus 2021 and for crops to be eligible, the land must not have been in tillage production in 2021. A payment of €400 per hectare is proposed. The proposed budget for the Scheme is €10 million and is aimed at encouraging an additional 25,000 hectares of tillage crops.
Secondly, the package introduces supports to encourage farmers to grow protein crops (i.e. peas, beans, lupins and combi-crops) in 2022. Supporting domestic production of protein crops will reduce Ireland’s reliance on imported feed materials. €3 million is provided for under the EU funded Protein Aid Scheme and a further €1.2 million is proposed to be provided in order to guarantee a payment of €300 per hectare for beans, peas and lupins and €150 per hectare for combi-crops (cereal/protein mix).
And finally, a Multi-Species Sward Scheme to include support for red clover to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming, and thereby greatly reduce nitrogen fertiliser, while maintaining forage yields.
The financial supports outlined in the package of measures will assist farmers in offsetting the significant increases in farm inputs experienced by farmers presently.
In addition, I have tasked a 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.
Lastly, a Rapid Response Team has been established in my Department to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
