Irish Grain Growers’ Group (IGGG) chair Bobby Miller will be calling on the next Irish government to agree enhanced area payments for tillage farmers.
All of the main political parties are “committed to a €60 million annual increase in support levels available to tillage farmers”, according to Miller.
“Obviously, it’s important these commitments are made a reality once the new government is in place.
“But it is equally important for this additional support to be made available in the most effective way possible.
“One way of making this happen is to make additional area payments available to tillage farmers on an annual basis over the coming years,” he explained.
The IGGG is also calling for all the additional monies now being promised by the political parties to be ring-fenced for the tillage sector.
E.g., the Tillage Incentive Scheme should only be made available to farmers growing crops on a particular piece of land over a three to four-year period.
“Simply ploughing up grass to grow a cereal crop for one season only does not meet this requirement,” Miller stressed.
IGGG
Prior to Budget 2025, the IGGG had been calling for a range of measures to be agreed by government on behalf of the tillage sector.
These include the raising of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) investment ceiling on tillage farms to €200,000 and a number of tax changes.
Such measures should be based on eligibility linked to environmental measures (namely water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and carbon footprint); include accelerated capital allowance rates to enable faster cost recovery; and include bonus allowances based on early adoption.
The IGGG chair is also mindful of the fact that the next government will coordinate Ireland’s input into the next review of the Common Agricultural policy (CAP).
“This will bring the issue of convergence, where future basic payments are concerned, front and centre within th debate that will take place
“Irish tillage farmers lost out significantly during the last review of the CAP – this must not be allowed to happen again,” Miller added.
Looking ahead, IGGG views the out workings of the Food Tillage Vision Group report, published earlier this year, as a priority for the next government.
“Ireland’s cereal sector must evolve to deliver more premium grain opportunities for growers. These crops include malting barley and gluten free oats,” the chair said.
But above all else, the IGGG wants Irish food processers, feed compounders and farmers to fully recognise the value and quality of the grains that are produced on their doorstep.