Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will recognise the need to put greater emphasis on policies and support for the tillage sector, which if expanded would reduce the carbon output from farming and improve the sustainability of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54658/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The tillage sector is an integral part of Irish farming, making a significant contribution to agricultural output, and is indeed recognised as a very low greenhouse gas emitting sector. This Government is committed to growing the area under tillage crops in line with Climate Action Plan targets.

The Food Vision Tillage Group report sets out a roadmap for the sector’s growth and development, identifying key opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. Adding value to tillage crop output will be crucial to its long-term sustainability. Emerging technologies such as AgNav will enable farmers to demonstrate the sector’s low-carbon credentials, which will help to open new value-added market opportunities.

My Department continues to work with stakeholders to progress the report’s actions, and as it is an industry report, it will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders.

I will be supporting the tillage sector in 2026 with funding of at least €50m through the Protein Aid Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure and a Tillage Support Scheme. Having secured a funding allocation for this new Tillage Support Scheme, I intend to consult with stakeholders on its design and operation in due course.

In addition to the commitments in Budget 2026, my Department has already delivered substantial supports to tillage farmers in recent years. The Protein Aid Scheme budget increased from €7 million to €10 million annually last year. This year, applications were received for approximately 66,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw under the Straw Incorporation Measure, and I committed to pay all eligible applicants.

In February, I also announced €32.4 million in payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme. The Farming for Water EIP, with a budget of €60 million, supports targeted on-farm measures to improve water quality, including cover crop establishment. This year, over 1,400 tillage farmers expressed interest in participating. The sector also benefits from other supports including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.

I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support where possible given the strategic importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.