Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Ahearn for raising the straw incorporation measure, SIM. Having secured funding in budget 2021, I introduced the measure as a pilot to support Irish tillage farmers who decide to chop and incorporate straw into the soil after harvest. As pointed out by the Senator, the measure has been a success in terms of the environment and as a financial support to tillage farmers. In 2021, it will pay out approximately €8.5 million, with very strong support for the measure from applicants. Eligible crops include: wheat, barley, oats, rye and oilseed rape. The measure increases organic matter in soils, which will increase carbon sequestration, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but with added advantages of increasing water holding capacity and soil workability, while also returning nutrients to the soil.

Payments are made at the rate of €250 per hectare for those applicants who chop and incorporate oats, rye, wheat or barley, and oilseed rape is paid at the rate of €150 per hectare. The minimum application is 5 ha, with a maximum of 40 ha. I believe in the long-term success of the straw incorporation measure and for that reason I have incorporated it into the CAP strategic plan as a permanent measure. This will ensure that it will be available for at least the duration 2023-2027. In the meantime, it will continue as a pilot measure in 2022. The general feedback from advisers and farmers who participated in the pilot in 2021 is that they are very happy with it and most plan to reapply in 2022. Tillage is a relatively low greenhouse gas emissions sector but, nonetheless, there is an increased awareness among tillage farmers of the need to improve soil and to play their part in reducing emissions overall.

The measure also supports tillage farmers in making a change in their farm practice, which is positive in terms of greenhouse gas and soil improvement. Therefore, it is imperative that farmers chop and incorporate the straw to achieve the numerous benefits and goals of the measure. The ceiling of 40 ha was decided on to ensure that the measure is available to as many farmers as possible. A farmer could earn up to €10,000 under the measure. Following on from the success of the scheme this year, I expect an increase in the number of applicants next year and I consider that an increase in the eligible hectare at this time is not warranted as data from applications indicates that the average farm size was less than 20 ha. Furthermore, I believe any increase in the eligible maximum area per farm would limit the possibility for all applicants availing of the measure. I need to remain conscious of that as well. I want as many farmers as possible to have the opportunity to avail of this measure, without the need to impose rank and selection criteria if it is over-subscribed.

The straw incorporation measure is an agri-environment and climate support targeted specifically at supporting tillage farmers in undertaking actions which will increase soil organic carbon levels and deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.It is not possible to open the measure to farmers who decide not to chop straw because one of the main purposes of the measure, which is to increase soil organic carbon levels, will not be achieved. It is a condition of the measure that participants chop and incorporate straw into the soil after the harvest.