Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are being taken or that are required to ensure food security in the context of the ongoing illegal Russian war against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26808/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the Ukrainian crisis, significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including the agri-food sector. This is the number one priority for me and the Department at present, ensuring we can minimise as much as possible the impact of the war on our farm families here.

At farm level, the crisis is already impacting very significantly on the price of fertiliser, animal feed and fuel. Following a record year for Family Farm Income in 2021, Teagasc has forecast that a decline in 2022 is now highly likely, as output price increases will fail to offset the rise in production costs. Significantly higher production costs will be a feature across all sectors in 2022, with higher fertiliser, feed and fuel prices leading to an increase in agriculture input costs. The current market outlook for output prices is uncertain, with upward pressure likely, but very unlikely to cover the additional input costs.  

Within my Department, I have established a Rapid Response Team to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.

I also established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee headed by Teagasc and tasked it to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.

There are sufficient supplies of fertiliser and animal feed at present although price remains a concern. The Government have introduced a temporary reduction in excise duty on fuels, assistance on the price of electricity & gas, and a targeted and temporary grant scheme for hauliers, all of which will be of some assistance to farmers and the agri-food sector.

I have announced a number of measures over the past three months to assist the agriculture sector including:

- €20 million in two packages for the pig sector, 

- €12 million for the tillage sector 

- €3 million for the horticulture sector

These targeted measures will help Irish farmers at a time of escalating costs and build resilience against the expected impact of the situation in Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, I brought a Memo for Information to Government on measures aimed to assist cattle and sheep farmers to produce fodder (silage and/or hay) during 2022 to prevent a Fodder crisis during the coming winter. My Department is continuing to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the detail of the scheme.

Following discussions at EU level, the European Commission announced in March, via the communication “Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems”, a range of actions to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU in light of rising food prices and input costs. It includes €500 million in exceptional aid to support farmers most affected, including an allocation of €15.8 million to Ireland, and agreement to deploy measures to support specific markets.

In addition, on the future of Ireland's agri-food sector generally, you will be aware that the new Food Vision 2030 strategy was launched last August. Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector and is honest and upfront about the challenges ahead. Crucially, it proposes solutions and charts a pathway to sustainability in all its dimensions. Food Vision aims for Ireland to be a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems, which would deliver food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, environmental and social basis to generate food and nutrition for future generations are not compromised. This will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment.

I continue to engage with all our stakeholders and continue to work across Government, and with our European partners, to respond to this crisis, using all of the tools at our disposal. I am taking a very proactive approach to the crisis in Ukraine. We must protect our farm families and their businesses through this period of significant upheaval.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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149. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of meetings that have been held and the plans of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee in relation to threats to food security as a result of the current war specifically the plans to deal with costs and supplies of fertiliser; and the take-up of schemes to increase the planting of tillage crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26873/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, I met with the main farm organisations and Teagasc on 8th March to discuss the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on Irish agriculture and supply chains.

At that meeting, I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it with preparing an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.  

Following the first meeting of this Committee, Teagasc issued advice to farmers on how to manage their farms during the current grass growing season with a view to securing sufficient fodder for next winter. 

The advice includes applying sufficient fertiliser on grassland and crops, on the basis of a fodder budget for winter 2022, ensuring that sufficient fodder is conserved. In addition, Teagasc commenced a nationwide advertisement campaign giving advice to farmers along with extensive engagement with farmer clients. 

Two further meetings of the Committee were held where results of farmer and fodder surveys were discussed along with updates on Teagasc’s engagement with farmer clients.

I announced a Targeted Intervention Package on 22^ndMarch framed around three pillars to support Irish farming families arising both from events in Ukraine and wider global price volatility. The total package is projected to cost in the region of €12.2 million. 

The package seeks to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops this season through the Tillage Incentive Scheme and introduces supports to encourage farmers to grow protein crops in 2022. The number of applicants for the Tillage Incentive Scheme and the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme cannot be confirmed until formal applications open in June.  

In addition, on 3^rdMay 2022, I brought a Memorandum for Information to Government on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, with the objective of supporting farm families to conserve silage and hay this year to ensure that we have adequate stocks of fodder over next winter.

I expect to announce further details on the proposed scheme shortly.  The financial supports previously announced, and those currently under discussion, will assist farmers in providing sufficient fodder for winter 2022.