Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who availed of the grant under the straw incorporation measure in 2021. [53059/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is a support Measure for tillage farmers under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17th December 2013 (Agri-environment-climate).

The purpose of the Measure is to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops. This will sequester carbon in tillage soils, thereby reducing GHG emissions. The incorporation of straw will also have positive impact on soil biology and soil workability. This will further improve the environmental sustainability of the tillage sector.

In 2021, a total of 1,879 farmers applied for the Straw Incorporation Measure. Successful applicants could earn up to €10,000 per farmer.