The Irish Grain Growers (IGG) want stronger commitment to Irish tillage crops from Ornua, Bord Bia, dairy co-ops and Boortmalt. Reacting to Ornua’s Kerrygold butter promotion, the group criticised the lack of priority given to Irish grain and protein crops over imports.

“The Irish tillage farmer deserves as much recognition as any other farmer, yet Bord Bia don’t even audit tillage farmers,” the group said.

“We are prohibited from growing GMO crops, yet merchants and millers can import GMO grain and sell it to livestock farmers,” the group added.

Highlighting “the unique provenance” of Irish grain, IGG wants a €70/t bonus for brewing barley over feed quality, with a further €30/t for low protein distilling barley.