Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1728.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the straw chopping scheme, if he will close the scheme and if he has evaluated the effect a closure of the scheme may have on farmers. [33717/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The difficult weather in early 2024 has resulted in extremely low fodder supplies in the country, including straw. As a consequence of this I recently proposed a deferral of the 2024 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and indicated that I would engage with the Farmers' Charter on the matter. I made this proposal balancing the need to ensure adequate supplies of straw are available for the coming winter with the environmental and soil health benefits of the scheme.

I am anticipating that demand for straw will be strong this year due to the current shortage. This demand will ensure tillage farmers should have a ready market for their output. I again urge all farmers to ensure they have secured supplies of straw and fodder for the winter ahead and to engage promptly with tillage farmers on this matter.

I am at present engaging with farm bodies and with the European Commission on this matter, and will make a final decision shortly.