Heydon: Tillage 'at the heart' of Irish agriculture
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has confirmed his strong commitment to the future of the tillage sector.
And he cites his recent success in securing an additional €5 million of funding for the 2025 Straw Incorporation Measure as evidence to this end.
The Fine Gael politician made the remarks at an Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG) meeting, held on the Co. Meath farm of the Howard family earlier this week.
Minister Heydon said: “All the components of Irish agriculture must work together on a cohesive basis. And tillage is at the heart of all this.”
When asked about the €300 million additional support funding for Irish tillage referenced by Fine Gael party in the run-up to the 2024 general election, Minister Heydon indicated that future spending plans were a matter for the upcoming budget which was still a number of months away.
He said would not speculate about what may or may not be in it prior to the event.
The minister indicated that providing additional financial support was not the only way of safeguarding the needs of Irish tillage into the future.
He referenced the role of the Food Vision Group in delivering a long-term, sustainable future for Irish agriculture.
On the issue of grain and oilseed imports coming into Ireland, the minister said that appropriate action would be taken if evidence of illegal activity in this regard is brought forward.
He also stressed the role of the Agri-food Regulator’s office in delivering transparency along the entire length of the farming and food chain, adding:
“The regulator has asked for additional powers in this regard. And this issue has been acceded to by government.”
Minister Heydon stressed that Irish agriculture must be economically sustainable into the future, and that making this happen will require younger people coming into the sector in sufficient numbers.
Looking ahead, the minister foresees fundamental change impacting on Irish agriculture. This will include the evolving use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence.
He said there will also be continuing progress made towards the development of a more circular economy. In this context, agriculture will be used to develop alternative energy for society as a whole.
And according the minister, this is a ready happening, with the growth in anaerobic digestion is a case in point.
However, one issue will remain a constant - agriculture will continue to have a key role at the very heart of the Irish economy, Minister Heydon said.
