Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the beneficial effect to the small- and medium-sized farming community of recent supportive measures; the impact on individual farmers under 50 acres and between 50 and 100 acres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarmers have experienced above average rainfall in all parts of the country from late summer 2023 until very recently. This has led to delays in planned spring sowings and later than normal turnout of livestock in many parts of the country. The wet weather last autumn has resulted in lower sowings of winter crops and farmers housing livestock much earlier than planned, which in turn has resulted in fodder shortages in certain parts of the country.
The impact of weather has been felt on all farms irrespective of size. I’m also acutely aware that large increases in input costs, particularly fertiliser in recent years, had created real challenges for both the livestock and tillage sectors. Supports through the various schemes operated by my Department under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) are critical for farmers.
Specific sectoral support schemes also exist, such as Protein Aid and the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) for tillage and a range of livestock support schemes such as the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) and the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS).
Schemes such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Income Support (CRISS), ECO scheme, Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and ACRES along with the many other support schemes operated by my Department have resulted in excess of €1.8 billion paid to farmers since last October.
Some schemes are targeted at specific sectors, but in many cases, all farmers can apply for and benefit from schemes regardless of size.
While the supports are critical due to the extreme difficulties experienced by farmers I introduced a range of additional supports in recent years.
In November 2022 and in light of the then continued high price of agricultural inputs required for conserving grass for hay/silage, I announced the opening of the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme. Approximately 67,000 applied for the scheme and advance payment of 57% or cumulatively €29.9 million was paid out before end of December 2022. A further approximately €20 million has since being paid in balancing payments to eligible cases.
In late 2023 extra funding was secured for tillage farmers under the exceptional aid measure. An unharvested crop loss scheme was also introduced for those farmers unable to harvest crops due to persistent rainfall.
In more recent times I introduced a derogation to the Crop Diversification requirement under GAEC 7 that applies to tillage farmers, more commonly know as the 2/3 crop rule, plus a specific Fodder Transport Support Measure to assist farmers to transport fodder over distances in excess of 75km. A pause on inspections was also introduced to ensure that undue pressure was not placed on farmers at this time.
As the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine I’m acutely aware of the critical importance of the farming sector and as evidenced by the additional supports provided in recent times I will ensure that farm families receive the necessary supports to allow high quality food and feed to be produced in this country.
