Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that tillage production did increase by 6.1% so far this year, which I think was 78% of the objective. Approximately 13,000 ha of that related to cereal, which was just an increase of 4.5%. This is a crucially important area as I am sure the Minister recognises, including for other sectors that need feed. It makes sense if we can produce it in Ireland. It also makes sense from the perspective of reaching our climate action obligations. This is win-win if it is a win for the farmers. Many farmers moved from tillage into other sectors because tillage production was unprofitable and, therefore, the challenge is to make it profitable. There have been positive examples in my constituency. The farmers involved in Irish Organic Mill have created an industry they were told was impossible in a county like Monaghan. However, to expand and to support farmers in that endeavour we need a holistic strategy.

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