Call for 'meaningful' tillage investment in Budget 2027
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is being urged to deliver and expand support packages for tillage farmers in Budget 2027.
Fianna Fáil Agriculture Spokesperson and Carlow-Kilkenny TD, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has warned that "the future of the sector cannot be taken for granted".
Last year's budget allocated a total of €50 million to the tillage sector.
This included €30 million for the National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme and continued funding for existing measures such as the Protein Aid Scheme and Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).
Tillage
Deputy Cleere noted there were 55,000 growers in the tillage sector in the 1980s, with this figure standing at roughly 6,000 growers now.
"I have heard directly from tillage farmers across Carlow and Kilkenny about the pressures they are facing.
"They are producing top-class Irish grain, and after a good summer for crops, we should be proud of the quality coming off Irish farms, but quality alone will not keep farmers in tillage.
"Farmers are facing high input costs, intense competition for land and low global grain prices.
"They are also competing with producers internationally who do not face the same level of regulation, audits and standards as Irish farmers.
"We cannot demand more and more from our farmers while leaving them to compete on an uneven playing field," he said.
Budget 2027
Deputy Cleere acknowledged the "significant work" done by his party colleague and former agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue.
The TD claimed that McConalogue "delivered more direct support to tillage farmers than any government in the history of the State".
"That level of ambition now needs to continue. I am calling on Minister Heydon to significantly increase investment in tillage in Budget 2027, building on the work of his predecessor rather than allowing momentum to be lost," Deputy Cleere added.
Deputy Cleere is also supporting a call from the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) for €69 million in dedicated funding for the tillage sector as part of its Budget submission.
The TD said "first class grain shouldn’t be funded as second class in the budget".
"This is about protecting farm incomes, maintaining food security and ensuring Ireland retains the capacity to produce its own grain. Irish grain is also an environmental asset.
"Tillage is recognised as one of the most carbon-efficient sectors in Irish agriculture and has a major role to play in a carbon-constrained economy. We should be investing in that advantage, not allowing low-cost imports to undermine Irish production," he said.
DAFM
In June, Minister Heydon indicated his approach to negotiations around Budget 2027.
He said he secured a 9% increase in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) budget last year.
"I expect and anticipate to get an increase in this year's budget for next year too," he said.
However, the minister stopped short of outlining his priorities for Budget 2027.
DAFM has been asked to find savings of up to €26 million next year.
It comes as Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers confirmed the levies to be applied to government departments following an overspend in education.
The proposed levy to be applied for DAFM is 1.3%, meaning the department will have to identify savings of €25.6 million for 2027.
