Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming here to discuss this all-important issue. I welcome the fact that the Department is providing €400 per ha to encourage Irish farmers to grow more cereals to offset the loss of Ukrainian and Russian grains. The aim is to increase the amount of tilled land by 25,000 ha. While I know farmers will be going out to sow the crops, my concern is whether we will have enough. So many farmers are dependent on grain to feed their animals. Pig farmers were protesting on the streets today and I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet them this evening. We have been heavily reliant for so long on imported grain and animal feed. Members of the Irish Grain & Feed Association are working hard to find and import grain and I urge the Government to support them in their endeavours. It is a very worrying time for them. The tillage scheme will significantly improve our capacity to grow grain. Ireland imports two thirds of its grain annually, which is quite a high proportion. In that context, I welcome the fact that the Minister is encouraging Irish farmers to grow their own.

As one can see from the complaints, farmers are really concerned about sky-rocketing input costs, particularly fuel and fertiliser prices, both of which have been heavily affected by the war in Ukraine. I condemn what is going on over there. It is so sad for the people in Ukraine. The scenes on our television screens every night are terrible. The war is having an impact all over the world.

I suggest farmers need cuts in excise duties and carbon taxes. It is critical that sufficient agricultural diesel supplies are available during the key spring and summer months when planting and harvesting takes place. Rather than receiving one blanket payment, farmers are asking that certain taxes and duties be cut and that diesel supplies be set aside for them. I would also like to see that happening. The Government should look at a temporary break in taxes and duties on vital inputs including fertiliser, green diesel and grain.

Irish dairy and beef farmers are being urged to start growing crops. We have all been inundated with emails about the provision of peat. The Minister is well aware of the issues in that regard. It is crucially important that farmers have sufficient peat but the costs have increased significantly. Senator Lombard drew our attention earlier to the cost increases in recent months and I support his call in that regard. The horticultural sector, including nurseries and garden centres, is also heavily reliant on the provision of peat. It is an issue that I would like the Minister to consider in the course of his deliberations.

I thank the Minister for all of his work and support his ongoing consultation with farmers. They are on their knees and need all the support that the Government can give them.