William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1137. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new tillage scheme outlined in the food vision tillage report will be in place before cover crops are sown in July 2025 and oilseed rape is planted in August 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30648/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The tillage sector is an integral part of Irish farming and makes a significant contribution to overall agricultural output. This Government recognises the importance of the sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops in the years ahead.

The report of the Food Vision Tillage Group, which was published in May 2024, sets out a road map for the sustainable growth and development of the sector. It is a very comprehensive report that identifies opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint.

My Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers across a range of initiatives over the past number of years. €32.4m was paid out under the tillage and horticultural support scheme on 12th February 2025. The financial allocation for coupled support under the Protein Aid Scheme has been increased to €10m annually from 2024. The Straw Incorporation Measure, which was first introduced as a Pilot Scheme in 2021 and 2022, is now included in the current CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 with an allocation of €50m over 5 years.

Any additional supports for the sector are dependent on the allocation of funding and government approval as part of the budgetary process.

I will continue to work with the tillage sector given the importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry, and to deliver on the commitment in the Programme for Government to invest significantly in the tillage sector over the next five years.