Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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727. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he envisions the possible return of a sugar beet industry for feed purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54731/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In 2006, the EU introduced a restructuring mechanism intended to reduce overall production of sugar, acknowledging the then global over supply and resultant low prices. Ireland received €353 million as part of the reform package with some €220 million being distributed to beet growers and a further €6 million to machinery contractors in the sector.

In 2025, 9,600ha of beet was grown in Ireland primarily for feed purposes and supports are currently available under CAP for growers who wish to grow beet. Sugar beet and fodder beet are the same crop species: Beta vulgaris, with individual varieties classified by plant breeders in terms of their suitability for sugar or feed production. Agronomy practices are similar for both sugar and fodder beet and it is an excellent break crop for tillage farmers. The processing of this beet for feeding is carried out on farm using specialist equipment.

Teagasc analysis shows that beet is a relatively profitable crop for tillage farmers. Beet is a high energy, highly palatable feed and is a sought after by many specialist livestock farmers. There may be further potential for tillage farmers to agree supply contracts with livestock farmers to increase their beet area to meet demand.

Beet is an eligible crop under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS). Growers can avail of the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme to purchase specialist equipment such as beet cleaners and on farm weighbridges.