Many tillage farmers are at their wits and have not experienced conditions like this year since the mid-1980s, according to IFA President Joe Healy.

The IFA leader said it is critical that a financial rescue package is secured and put in place for these farmers, as a matter of urgency, given the dire financial straits they find themselves in through no fault of their own.

To resolve these issues, Healy set out an Action Plan for the survival of the tillage sector at the Tillage Forum in Dublin this afternoon.

According to IFA, tillage farmers are facing an income collapse this year of up to €100m due to a combination of factors.

Grain production will be down between 500,000-600,000t on last harvest
Oilseed and protein crop yields are much reduced
Falling Greening/Basic Payments through convergence are reducing the direct payment
High input and working capital costs are aggravating this already serious income situation

IFA Grain Chairman Liam Dunne also said the stark reality is that the financial risk that farmers are carrying is becoming totally disproportionate to the possible gains.

Without political intervention on a number of fronts, Ireland’s tillage sector is in imminent danger of collapse, with major implications for the entire livestock sector and our world-renowned drinks industry.

And to save the tillage industry, IFA has proposed the implementation of six-point action plan.

IFA’s action plan for the Survival of the Tillage Sector

Introduction of a specific financial rescue package for the tillage sector
A derogation for Ireland on greening requirements, given our difficult climate conditions
Access to competitively priced credit to help sustainability of all farmers including those under cash flow pressure
Full support from all industry stakeholders for the use of native Irish grain
Action by the European Union to lower input costs
Stronger tillage sector support under Farm Schemes