Referring to Teagasc Outlook figures, which show the average net margin on tillage farms in 2016 was -€130/ha, the IFA made the case for an aid package for the tillage sector on Tuesday at a Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting.
Joe Healy said the scale of crop losses experienced by individual growers in a number of counties, including Cork, Kerry, Galway, Roscommon, Longford, Mayo and Donegal, this harvest means some farm families are facing the prospect of no income and significant debt arising from this year’s harvest, a situation from which they will not recover unless support is forthcoming.
“A comprehensive survey of the farmers affected by dire weather this year, carried out by the IFA, in consultation with Teagasc and the grain trade, indicates that individual growers experienced crop losses running from 25% to close on 50%, with straw loss averaging about 50%,” Healy said.
“It is critical that an aid package is secured and put in place for these growers as a matter of urgency, given the dire financial situation that many of them find themselves in through no fault of their own.”
The IFA proposed direct compensation payments of up to €15,000 for farmers affected by severe crop losses this year. Healy again outlined the IFA action plan which was brought up at the tillage forum.
The details of the IFA action plan include:
Introduction of a specific crop-loss aid package for the tillage sector targeted at the affected farmers.Establishment of a feed certification scheme supporting sustainable agricultural production, maximising the use of native grain and proteins in Irish livestock rations in support of Irish growers and ensuring that harmful weed seeds such as blackgrass and sterile brome, etc, are not inadvertently imported into the country.Increased use of native grain and Irish malt in the production of Irish whiskies and artisan and craft beers. Abolition of tariffs and anti-dumping duties on fertiliser imports as fertilisers now account for 30% to 40% of variable production costs. Review by the EU Competition Authority of the cost of plant protection products which are priced significantly lower to growers in other regions across the world.Increased funding to allow for the expansion of the protein crop area eligible to receive the full coupled payment.Immediate roll-out of the TAMS investment programme. Working with the Department of Agriculture, the IFA has put forward a comprehensive set of proposals for TAMS in the tillage sector and is pushing for the scheme to be opened as soon as possible.A reduction in the burden of compliance for Greening.Introduction of a meaningful Renewables Heat Incentive scheme that will enable growers to generate a viable alternative income stream from the sale of biomass crop residues. Read more
Details of TAMS for tillage to be announced in January
Referring to Teagasc Outlook figures, which show the average net margin on tillage farms in 2016 was -€130/ha, the IFA made the case for an aid package for the tillage sector on Tuesday at a Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting.
Joe Healy said the scale of crop losses experienced by individual growers in a number of counties, including Cork, Kerry, Galway, Roscommon, Longford, Mayo and Donegal, this harvest means some farm families are facing the prospect of no income and significant debt arising from this year’s harvest, a situation from which they will not recover unless support is forthcoming.
“A comprehensive survey of the farmers affected by dire weather this year, carried out by the IFA, in consultation with Teagasc and the grain trade, indicates that individual growers experienced crop losses running from 25% to close on 50%, with straw loss averaging about 50%,” Healy said.
“It is critical that an aid package is secured and put in place for these growers as a matter of urgency, given the dire financial situation that many of them find themselves in through no fault of their own.”
The IFA proposed direct compensation payments of up to €15,000 for farmers affected by severe crop losses this year. Healy again outlined the IFA action plan which was brought up at the tillage forum.
The details of the IFA action plan include:
Introduction of a specific crop-loss aid package for the tillage sector targeted at the affected farmers.Establishment of a feed certification scheme supporting sustainable agricultural production, maximising the use of native grain and proteins in Irish livestock rations in support of Irish growers and ensuring that harmful weed seeds such as blackgrass and sterile brome, etc, are not inadvertently imported into the country.Increased use of native grain and Irish malt in the production of Irish whiskies and artisan and craft beers. Abolition of tariffs and anti-dumping duties on fertiliser imports as fertilisers now account for 30% to 40% of variable production costs. Review by the EU Competition Authority of the cost of plant protection products which are priced significantly lower to growers in other regions across the world.Increased funding to allow for the expansion of the protein crop area eligible to receive the full coupled payment.Immediate roll-out of the TAMS investment programme. Working with the Department of Agriculture, the IFA has put forward a comprehensive set of proposals for TAMS in the tillage sector and is pushing for the scheme to be opened as soon as possible.A reduction in the burden of compliance for Greening.Introduction of a meaningful Renewables Heat Incentive scheme that will enable growers to generate a viable alternative income stream from the sale of biomass crop residues. Read more
Details of TAMS for tillage to be announced in January
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