Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has been called on to provide details about the new Straw Incorporation Measure that is set to be introduced for tillage farmers.
Independent TD Carol Nolan asked the minister about the scheme earlier this week, on Wednesday (March 3), with a parliamentary question on the status of the implementation of the straw measure.
In his response, the minister said that €10 million had been set aside for the Straw Incorporation Measure in Budget 2021, adding:
“This is an agri-environmental initiative that is intended to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating the straw from eligible crops back into the soil. I
“t has been introduced as part of the suite of measures in place to ensure continued support to the tillage sector during the transition period leading up to the new Common Agricultural Policy programming period.
Officials from my department are currently in discussions with the European Commission to finalise the details of the measure.
“The department has also been consulting with stakeholders in this regard. Once agreement with the European Commission has been finalised, full details of the measure will be published,” the minister said.
In response to the minister’s reply, deputy Nolan said: ““it is deeply regrettable that no specifics have yet been worked out even though the original announcement was made in October of last year.
“Clearly the minister recognises the need for the scheme. Why then has no urgency been applied with respect to its roll-out and accessibility for farmers?
“We need clarification on whether the delay is from the Irish or the EU Commission end of things and we need it quickly,” the midlands TD concluded.