Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1186. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation for the straw incorporation scheme in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52425/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is a pilot agri-environmental initiative first operated this year to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating the straw from eligible crops back into the soil.

The SIM has proven to be a very successful pilot with strong uptake from farmers.

The introduction of the Measure formed part of the suite of measures by the Department to ensure continued support to the tillage sector during the transition period leading up to the new Common Agricultural Policy programming period.

Overall, 1,879 farmers have availed of the Measure this year which saw just over 37,000 hectares chopped resulting in estimated payments of €8.5 million which in due course will be issued by the Department.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have secured funding for the Measure in 2022 as announced in the recent budget, with details to be announced shortly.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1187. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target number of participants for the multispecies sward scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52426/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This is an innovative and pioneering pilot scheme, with ambitious support to grant aid farmers to sow multi species swards.

Research work carried out on multi species swards has shown positive results on low nitrogen input plots with the potential to provide a more environmentally friendly production system while simultaneously reducing nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

The details of the scheme are currently being worked on by my officials and it is anticipated there will be a strong demand with benefits for our natural environment.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1188. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target number of new participants for the organic farming scheme in 2022; when the scheme will reopen; if he if is proposing to reform the scheme in any manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52427/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to increasing the area of land farmed organically in Ireland and am delighted to have secured a significant increase in the budget for organic farming for 2022.

Funding for the Organic Farming Scheme has been increased to €21 million, up from €16 million last year, with a further €2 million for further organic sector development measures.

This increase is most welcome and addresses the growing demand from both farmers and consumers for this type of production. It effectively doubles the funding for organics since I took office less than two years ago.

As the Deputy will be aware, the current Programme for Government contains a commitment to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of approximately 7.5%.

The additional funding to be allocated to the opening of the OFS in 2022 could provide for an additional 50,000 hectares converting to organic production in 2022.

While it is possible to provide the estimated number of hectares that can be funded, the number of farmers expected to participate in the scheme will obviously depend on the size of the farms that will be the subject of the applications in 2022.

I am encouraging all farmers from all sectors to join, and my Department and the relevant agencies and advisory bodies will be working with them before the opening of the scheme in early 2022.

It is not my intention to amend the Organic Farming Scheme for 2022 but consideration is currently being given to the measures that will be supported under the new CAP Strategic Plan that will continue to develop the organic sector in Ireland.