Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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596. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an update on the food vision tillage group report will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42634/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector. It is an integral part of Irish farming and makes a significant contribution to overall agricultural output.

It is Government policy to increase the area under tillage to 400,000 hectares by 2030. It is for this reason that I established the Food Vision Tillage Group in May 2023 to set out a road map for the sustainable growth and development of the sector.

I welcomed the final report from the Group earlier this year. It is a very detailed and comprehensive report that identifies opportunities to grow the sector and further improve its environmental footprint. Implementation of the actions in the report will be an ongoing process and will require a collaborative effort from many different stakeholders.

My officials are currently engaging with relevant stakeholders as part of this process, and they will provide an update on progress to the Food Vision High Level Implementation Committee. Furthermore, it is envisaged that my officials will provide an update on progress to the Food Vision Tillage Group on a periodic basis.

Since I was appointed Minister, I have ensured that more direct support was provided to tillage farmers by this Government than any other Government in the history of the State. In particular, I was acutely aware of the challenges that tillage farmers experienced over the last two years.

Significant support was provided to the tillage sector last year including payments under the Protein Aid Scheme totalling over €10.9 million, Straw Incorporation Measure payments of €15.5 million and the Tillage Incentive Scheme providing €8.5 million in expenditure. Furthermore, €14.3 million was paid in support to tillage farmers by way of an Unharvested Crop Support Scheme and as a once-off flat rate payment on the area of oilseed rape and cereal crops.

Building on these significant supports I was delighted to have secured €50 million for the tillage sector for 2025- €30 million to deliver on the commitment I made in April for a €100/ha payment for all crops planted for this year’s harvest; €10 million for the Straw Incorporation Measure and €10 million for Protein Aid.

A vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is hugely important in increasing our food and feed security while also contributing to our climate change objectives. I am a strong supporter of the tillage sector. I believe it has huge potential and I am committed to delivering on this potential.