Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister in particular for his confirmation that there was a meeting this evening between the Minister of State and his officials and the farming organisations. I agree that there is a challenge as to the lack of clarity on the availability of seed and, in particular, fertiliser. The other issue of course is the cost of fuel.

There is also further challenge regarding the rotation cycle which tillage farmers are working on with Teagasc, and whether there can be a deviation from that three-year cycle for crops on foot of the changes that have occurred. I ask that this be taken into account in the advice that will be offered over the next four weeks. The priority then, basically, is to try to increase the acreage by encouraging farmers to do this and to make all of the necessary supports available in order that we can get more people on board to grow cereal crops this year.

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