Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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483. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he accepts that the tillage sector is experiencing a prolonged period of challenges; the efforts he is making to support the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53135/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I fully recognise the challenges the tillage sector has faced in recent years, not least the challenging market outlook and downward price pressure this season. In light of this I have recently engaged directly with stakeholders to hear their concerns.

This Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops to 400,000 hectares by 2030. In recognition of the sector’s importance, my Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers in recent years. The budget for Protein Aid has increased to €10m annually from 2024. Applications for over 66,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw were submitted for chopping and incorporating in 2025 under the Straw Incorporation Measure. I have committed to paying all farmers who applied under the Scheme.

In February this year, I announced €32.4 million of payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme.

The Farming for Water EIP has a budget of €60m to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including establishment of cover crops. This year, over 1,400 tillage farmers have expressed an interest in establishing cover crops under the EIP. The tillage sector is also being supported under other schemes, including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.

The Food Vision Tillage Group report identifies opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders to progress the actions in the report, and as it is an industry report, its implementation will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders.

This Government remains fully committed to the tillage sector.