Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
387. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the cereal industry in this country continues to remain viable given the evidence of competition in the market place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12202/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish tillage sector is a sector that I am a huge proponent of and is an important and integral component of the Agri-Food industry. The importance of the sector was recognised in the recently released Climate Action Plan 2023 in which there is a target to increase the area in tillage to 400,000 hectares.
I am acutely aware of the current challenges being faced by the sector, including high input costs and lower forward grain prices compared to last year. The tillage sector is also facing competition from the dairy sector for land arising from obligations to comply with nitrates regulations.
I have backed this sector with new and innovative schemes in recent years. In response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, I introduced the Tillage Incentive Scheme with a €400/ha payment on additional crop area. This Scheme delivered €10.1 million in support for the sector last year. I bolstered the existing Protein Scheme by guaranteeing a €300/ha payment on beans, peas and lupins and I also introduced a Protein Cereal mixed crop scheme. The Tillage Incentive Scheme is being continued in 2023 with a budget of €10 million.
In Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, the budget for the Protein Aid Scheme has been increased from €3 million to €7 million. Last year, the Straw Incorporation Measure delivered €11.1 million in support to the sector and I have committed this hugely important measure to the new CAP.
Under TAMS III, the new Tillage Capital Investment Scheme will have a ceiling for investment of €90,000 and will include a range of new investments relevant for tillage. I also recently announced that ACRES will be extended to the 46,000 farmers that have applied to the Scheme.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to the tillage sector and its importance within the wider agricultural industry.
