Members of the Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) have called again for the immediate introduction of a tillage aid scheme.
They are also expressing extreme disappointment with the lack of commitment shown by Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine, Charlie McConalogue.
This follows the meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) held earlier today (Tuesday, April 9).
During the meeting, the minister indicated that he is “closely monitoring” the situation facing farmers around the country.
IGGG chair, Bobby Miller, said:
“While the minister and the co-ops outlined measures being taken to support livestock farmers, it was incredulous to partake in a meeting where words of support were the only offering available to tillage farmers.
“No support measures were presented today from those who buy native Irish grain and pulses, including those linked to the drinks industry, the co-ops and merchant umbrella groups.
“The irony is not lost on IGGG that feedstuffs, most of which are imported, are being subsidised to supply livestock farmers in this very stressful time for all.”
Miller said that the organisation is “unaware of any mill, merchant or co-op that has offered support”, and that it is “obviously looking for support from the government”.
He added that the mood within the tillage sector is “on the floor”.
IGGG
Previously, IGGG had called for a €80 million support package to be made available by the government in order to meet the specific needs of grain growers at the present time.
The request was a made at a recent meeting of the stakeholder group that has been drawn together to develop the Tillage Vision Group report.
“This was a followed-up with a similar request being made at the previous fodder security meeting,” the IGGG chair said.
Minister McConalogue also used his involvement with the NFFSC meeting o confirm that he had officially received the final version of the Food Vision Tillage Group report.
According to Miller, it is now incumbent on the government to act on its recommendations.
“The report must not be allowed to gather dust,” he stressed.
The IGGG chair went on to confirm the need for the stakeholder group, which was established at the outset of the tillage review process, to be maintained in place.
“Looking ahead, the role of the stakeholder group is to ensure that the specification recommendations contained in the final report are physically acted upon by government.
“If this approach is not taken, the impetus generated by the publication of the report could be lost,” Miller said.