Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Approximately 14,500 ha of maize are grown in the country. As we have discussed, there are two types of system - the uncovered approach and the covered approach. The covered approach is a more expensive one. With the inputs, it is about €300 per hectare but the yields tend to be far more stable, higher and more weather-resistant. The evidence is that in the region of 90% of maize crops in the country are covered, while 10% are uncovered. It is, therefore, something that is posing a challenge and we must make every effort to find sustainable alternatives that do not have the negative impact of plastic. We all agree that this can be quite damaging. I am happy to engage with the sector in any way I can and to work with the particular constituency that has been in contact with the Deputy regarding these issues in order to try to address the challenge.

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