Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1896. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider removing the cap that was in place which was potentially €100 per acre and ensuring that it would not be reduced below that amount which would help persons who would have straw to supply in what would be an over supplied market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20119/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware in 2021 the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) was introduced in 2021 as a pilot measure. I am delighted to see that there was a high level of interest in the Measure with over €8 million paid out to farmers on approximately 35,000ha of straw that was chopped and incorporated.  Given the surplus stocks of straw currently available from last year's harvest and the very high price of fertiliser I expect that demand for the scheme will be strong in 2022.

I can also confirm that there will be no change to the rates payable or list of eligible crops under the scheme in 2022.  The payment rate is €250/ha for cereal straw from barley, wheat, oats and rye and €150/ha for oilseed rape straw.