There are no plans to amend the eligibility criteria for the fuel support scheme at this point to include hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), Minister Martin Heydon has said.

HVO is a low-carbon biofuel made from waste, byproducts and derived products not intended for human consumption from the food industry.

TD Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending any existing or future fuel support schemes to include HVO.

She noted that while reliefs have been provided in respect of petrol and diesel, many tractors and agricultural machinery are capable of operating on HVO

She also asked Minister Heydon if he has examined the potential environmental and economic benefits of supporting the use of HVO in the agricultural sector.

HVO

Minister Heydon said he has "no plans" to amend the eligibility criteria for the scheme at this point to include HVO.

"My department has introduced the Fuel Income Support Scheme as a targeted income support to assist farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs," the minister said.

"The fuel income support is targeted towards farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors who have and will continue to use marked gas oil, which is the predominant fuel used in the agricultural and forestry sectors at present."

Fuel schemes

It was announced in Budget 2027 that Minister Heydon secured agreement on the extension to the end of this year of the fuel supports schemes provided for farmers and agricultural contractors, fishermen and women and horticulture producers impacted by higher fuel prices.

He said the allocation of €31.2 million to cover the five months from August to December 2026 for these supports will be "rapidly implemented" by his department.