Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am a huge proponent of the tillage sector, which plays a critical role in Irish agriculture. It is a sector I have backed with new and innovative schemes and that I will continue to back into the future given its value. It provides feed for our livestock sector and materials for our food and beverage sectors.

While no specific targets are set by my Department for land use associated with the growing of crops for 2022 to 2025, I support the tillage sector through targeted policy interventions and supports.

The protein aid scheme has been implemented since 2015 with a budget of €3 million and a target payment of €250 per hectare. In Ireland’s 2023-27 CAP strategic plan, the budget has been increased to €7 million with an increased target payment of €350 per hectare. In 2021, I introduced the straw incorporation measure, which aims to improve our tillage soils. In 2022, this measure will deliver an estimated €12 million in support for the tillage crops sector. I have committed this hugely important measure as part of our next CAP strategic plan.

In response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, I introduced the tillage incentive scheme with a €400 per hectare payment on additional crop area. I bolstered the existing protein scheme by guaranteeing a €300 per hectare payment on beans, peas and lupins and I also introduced a protein cereal mixed crop scheme.

These measures have been acknowledged as contributing to the estimated 6% increase in tillage area or additional 20,000 ha, in 2022. Just yesterday, at a meeting of the national fodder and food security committee, I tasked the committee with scoping out how much more grain we can grow domestically next year to build on the strong return this year.

Tillage farmers have always been leaders in their willingness to adopt new technology at farm level. The tillage capital investment scheme provides support to farmers to invest in modern equipment and infrastructure. To date, tillage farmers have received €31 million in financial support under the scheme.

I assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with this important sector and provide the targeted Government support it deserves given the importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.

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