Karen Walsh discusses the importance of the Irish agricultural industry in addressing food supply shortages.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ireland’s dependency on foreign feed imports has never been more at the forefront of farmers’ minds. Ukraine, known as the ‘Breadbasket of Europe’ is the third largest wheat exporter in the world while Russia is the largest. The reduction in wheat exports from these countries will affect countries worldwide and has already affected the wheat trade markets.
In response, Ireland has created a Rapid Response Team and National Fodder and Food Security Committee to examine how best to advise the agricultural sector to respond to this shortfall. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue recently announced a ‘targeted intervention support package’ for the tillage sector and a multi species sward initiative worth over €12 million to Irish farmers.
field inspections will be carried out ‘to ensure crops are grown to a good commercial standard in terms of adequate seeding rate, crop establishment and management
Farmers are being encouraged to sow additional tillage crops in 2022 to lessen the impact of the war in Ukraine on feed supplies in Ireland. To be eligible for the Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) farmers will have to show an increase in their tillage crop area in 2022 compared to what they sowed in 2021. If additional grassland is ploughed to sow eligible crops, an increase in tillage crop area must be seen in the 2022 BPS application. A Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application must have been submitted in 2021 and 2022 by the farmer.
Barley, wheat, oats, rye, oilseed rape, maize and beet are eligible crops to be sown under this new scheme. The proposed payment rate is 400 / hectare, which will contribute to the cost of growing the crops. The budget for the scheme is €10 million. Satellite and field inspections will be carried out ‘to ensure crops are grown to a good commercial standard in terms of adequate seeding rate, crop establishment and management. The Department will expect farmers to grow a crop to best commercial practice to achieve a reasonable crop yield’.
Additionally, increased funding has also been announced by the Department to encourage boost production of protein crops. A minimum payment of €300/ha for peas, beans, lupins and €150/ha for combi crops (Cereal/protein mix) can be attained.
others are hoping that this scheme will highlight the importance of the tillage sector in Ireland and the need for greater use of native grains in Irish production systems to improve Ireland’s sustainability
A multi-species sward scheme was also announced in the support package by the Minister. Farmers can avail of a payment rate of €50 per 12kg bag of multi species sward seed. This measure is to help reduce the dependence on Nitrogen fertiliser. Current research in the area is showing signs of high animal performance and improved production levels on these swards.
These incentives have been received with mixed opinions in the agricultural sector. Farmers fear that with increased land area being used to grow tillage crops, that this will reduce the amount of winter forages available next winter. In contrast, others are hoping that this scheme will highlight the importance of the tillage sector in Ireland and the need for greater use of native grains in Irish production systems to improve Ireland’s sustainability into the future.