William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is implementing to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the tillage sector in Ireland, considering recent financial challenges and the sector's environmental significance. [13749/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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What measures is the Department implementing to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the tillage sector in Ireland, considering recent financial challenges and the sector's environmental significance?

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Aird and I attended the Irish Grain Growers AGM earlier this year, where we heard at first hand the challenges and opportunities for the tillage sector, which is an integral part of Irish farming and makes a significant contribution to overall agricultural output. The Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops in the years ahead.

The report of the food vision tillage group, which was published in May last year, sets out a roadmap for sustainable growth and development of the sector. It is a comprehensive report that identifies opportunities to grow the sector and further improve its environmental footprint. Work is ongoing to progress the actions in the report. That work was discussed at a meeting on 7 February of the food vision tillage group. My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders to progress the implementation of the actions in the report. This will require collaboration and commitment from many stakeholders across the sector.

My Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers. The financial allocation for coupled support under the protein aid scheme was increased to €10 million annually from 2024. The straw incorporation measure, which was first introduced as pilot scheme in 2021 and 2022, is now included in the current CAP strategic plan, with an allocation of €50 million over five years. The tillage incentive scheme was introduced in 2022 in response to the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, with €20 million allocated over the lifetime of the support measure. The tillage capital investment scheme under TAMS provides support for a broad range of investments to support farmers to achieve improved competitiveness, increased efficiency, growth and environmental benefits.

The 2023 and 2024 growing seasons were challenging for growers. In response to those challenges, the Government provided additional direct financial support. More than €14 million was paid out in January 2024 to support growers with unharvested crops in 2023 by way of an unharvested crop support scheme as a one-off flat-rate payment. In February this year, I was delighted to announce €32.4 million of payments under the tillage and horticulture support scheme, which was the Government's response to the difficult position in which the tillage and horticulture sector found itself.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I emphasise the urgent need for continued and enhanced Government support for Ireland's tillage sector. It is vital to our agricultural landscape and is currently at a critical juncture, as the Minister knows well. Without strategic investment and targeted policies, its survival and development are at huge risk. The tillage sector is the backbone of sustainable farming in Ireland. It provides essential grain for food production, animal feed and the growing demand for renewable energy sources such as biofuels. However, Irish tillage farmers are facing mounting challenges, including rising input costs, market volatility and the impact of climate change.

Tillage is important for food security. With global supply chains increasingly uncertain, a strong domestic tillage sector ensures Ireland's ability to produce high-quality grains and reduce reliance on imports. Supporting local grain production is critical to maintaining a stable food supply.

The sector has a role in regard to climate and sustainability. Unlike other agricultural sectors, tillage farming has a low carbon footprint. Encouraging tillage expansion can contribute to Ireland's climate targets under the climate action plan by promoting sustainable crop rotation.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy Aird. One of the areas that is critical in implementing the tillage strategy is enhancing markets. Part of that is the development of a commercial flour mill. As the Minister and his officials are aware, the Kavanagh brothers in Ballycarney, County Wexford, have advanced proposals and are planning to develop a commercial flour mill. I would be grateful if the Minister continued what his predecessor did in indicating the support of the Department for that initiative. With the development of the mill, we will see a market for tillage farmers. It is critical to support tillage farmers in the work they do but if we can develop a commercial flour mill once again in Ireland, it would be very welcome, particularly in the post-Brexit context. Will the Minister meet in due course with the consortium behind the flour mill and visit the location in Ballycarney?

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I will go down to visit the flour mill and Deputy Byrne can get me a couple of boxes of Wexford wine while we are there.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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We will look after the Minister.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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At the Mallow festival, I was presented with Wexford wine and it was very impressive. I am delighted to see that market go from strength to strength.

The programme for Government includes support for the development of knock-on industries from the tillage sector. That value-added factor is important, in addition to the basic fundamental of the sector that Deputy Aird articulated so well.

It is estimated that the tillage sector contributed €1.9 billion per annum to the Irish economy in the period from 2018 to 2022. The sector is estimated to support more than 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The overall area of tillage crops in 2024 was more than 332,000 ha, which is a reduction of less than 2% from 2023. Overall, since 2020, the tillage area has increased by more than 19,000 ha, or approximately 6%. We need to continue to support it. I am determined to work on a cross-Government basis to do that.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There must be economic stability for farmers in this sector. The cost of the inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and seed has skyrocketed, putting immense pressure on the tillage farmer. Financial support, including grants and price stabilisation mechanisms, is essential to prevent further farm closures and safeguard rural employment.

Diversification and innovation are important. Government investment in research and innovation can help farmers to adopt new technologies, improve yields, explore alternative markets such as protein crops and regenerate farming practices.

Alignment with EU policy is important. The EU's push for greater sustainability through CAP reform presents both challenges and opportunities. Ireland must ensure tillage farmers receive adequate support to transition to more sustainable practices while remaining competitive.

The tillage sector holds immense potential for the future of Irish agriculture. Targeted policies, including direct financial aid, incentives for land use in tillage and investment in research are crucial to sustaining and growing this vital industry. By acting now, we can secure the future of tillage farming, strengthen rural communities and contribute to Ireland's long-term food and environmental resilience.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I could not agree more. I have said previously in the House that I see agriculture as a gearbox within which all the different enterprises, including tillage, dairy, beef, sheep and pigs, are interlinked and interdependent. Should one sector of that gearbox stop working, it impacts on everything else. Tillage is a key component of that. The sector has been through a tough time. To be a tillage farmer involves a massive outlay on machinery costs. There are big overheads and margins have been extremely tight.

We want to continue working with the sector to support it and grow the value-added opportunities in this space. The Deputy mentioned the nearly carbon-zero nature of tillage farming. The sector has a great story to tell in terms of its carbon footprint, its positive role in regard to cover crops and the role it plays in helping us reach our climate targets. We will continue to support the tillage sector throughout this term.