Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1505. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the scheme will open for applications for tillage farmers to receive funding for ploughing straw into soil; the rates of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Increasing the soil organic carbon levels of arable soils was identified in the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve as a carbon sequestration action. Following on from this, and, as part of the provisions of Budget 2021, I announced details of a pilot Agri-environmental initiative that is intended to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops.

This process will assist in sequestering carbon into tillage soils. It will also have a positive impact on soil biology and workability which will improve the environmental sustainability of our tillage sector.

The budget for the measure is €10 million with the terms and conditions of the scheme currently being developed by my officials. Details will be announced as early as possible.