Written answers
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Agriculture Supports
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1708.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to support the horticulture and tillage sectors, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32986/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to support the horticulture and tillage sector in Ireland with a range of initiatives.
In June 2023, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The Strategy sets out a clear vision for the sector to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability.
In 2023 a total of €15,562,708 was made in payments to the Horticulture Sector through a range of schemes as follows.
| Scheme | Amount Paid |
|---|---|
| 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector | €4,604,319 |
| 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Seed Potato Sector and the Chipping Potato Sector | €2,414,728 |
| The 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency, Automation and Processing for Commercial Mushroom Producers | €235,069 |
| The 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Commercial Non-Primary Producers in the Mushroom Sector and for Peat Replacement by Commercial Mushroom Producers. | €1,045,087 |
| 2023 Mushroom Promotional Support | €1,010,000 |
| EU Producer Organisation Scheme for fruit and vegetables (EU funded) | €6,253,505 |
In 2023, I secured €2.382 million in funding under the EU Agricultural Reserve. The Horticulture Crisis Fund provided a once off payment in January 2024 to the sub-sectors most at risk due to specific challenges impacting their economic viability.
A budget of €10 million has been allocated in 2024 for the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.
Horticulture growers are also eligible to apply for supports under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme, the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme, the Organic Farming Scheme and the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme.
I am very mindful of the impact of the prolonged exceptional weather conditions on the horticultural and tillage sectors. To give confidence to horticulture and tillage farmers I have committed to deliver a €100/ha payment for every farmer that puts seed in the soil for the harvest year 2024.
Significant additional support was also provided to the tillage sector last year in light of the challenges faced. Payments under the Protein Aid Scheme totalled over €10.9m. The straw incorporation measure provided €15.5 million for tillage farmers while the Tillage Incentive Scheme provided €8.5 million in expenditure.
Furthermore, €14.3m was paid out earlier this year to support growers with unharvested crops and as a once-off flat rate payment on the area of oilseed rape and cereal crops.
This Government recognises the importance of the horticulture and tillage sectors within the wider agricultural industry and is committed to their continued support.
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