Agri-Business
Fertiliser prices increased by 18.6% in the year to August 2026, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.
The FCI has criticised Budget 2027 for failing to address the "carbon tax burden" facing agricultural and forestry contractors.
Excise duty cuts on fuel are set to continue over the winter and remain in place until the end of next February, the government has confirmed.
Rural Life
Farmers’ big asks for Budget 2027 include help with fertiliser and fuel costs, more scheme funding and support for passing on the farm.
Clearances of marked gas oil, also known as green diesel, were down in the first seven months of 2026.
Budget 2027
Ahead of Budget 2027 being announced tomorrow, there are calls for a carbon tax rebate scheme for agricultural contractors.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has demanded the abolition of carbon tax for green diesel in Budget 2027.
Macra is calling on the government to double the fuel support payment to 40c/L for all farmers and agricultural contractors.
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has welcomed the government's decision to extend its fuel support scheme.
Schemes
The fuel support scheme for farmers will be extended, it was announced today (September 24) by Minister for Finance Simon Harris.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is proposing to use leftover funds from the Fuel Income Support Scheme for fertiliser supports.
The government has today (Friday, August 28) won a Dáil vote to extend temporary excise cuts on fuel until October 31.
Fuel
Excise rates on fuel will begin to be restored from November 1 on a phased basis, according to proposals being presented to Cabinet.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued an update on payments made under the Fuel Income Support Scheme.
The government is being urged to establish an independent fuel price regulator in response to rising marked gas oil (green diesel) prices.
Agri Politics
Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, has said that the government’s decision not to proceed...
The government has this afternoon (Friday August 21) decided not to reintroduce its original rate...
The government is gathering evidence on the fodder situation before deciding on the next steps, according to Minister Peter Burke.
Fuel support scheme
Payments made under the Fuel Income Support Scheme now stand at €24.1 million, the Department of Agriculture confirmed.
The average price of green diesel for July saw the largest monthly increase since March according to new FCI figures.
The Department of Agriculture (DAFM) said it is focused on ensuring all valid Fuel Income Support Scheme claims are "paid in a timely manner"
Farmers are being subjected to “multiple layers of avoidable and unjustified taxation”, according to Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan.
Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has welcomed confirmation that late applications are being accepted for the Fuel Income Support Scheme.
