Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said he is considering all possible options around how to pay applicants to this year’s Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).

The scheme has a budget of €10m under the CAP strategic plan. However, applications to the scheme this year have topped €16m.

It encourages farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal and oilseed rape crops.

Terms

The Minister said in response to a parliamentary question from Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan that the terms and conditions for Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes sets out the various means by which the payment rates will be decided upon in circumstances where claims, as in 2026, are in excess of the available budget.

These means are namely a linear cut to the rate of payment, a degressive payment, and/or acceptance based on the application of tiered applications, he said.

“I'm acutely aware how important SIM is to tillage farmers and also the importance of farmers having certainty.

“At present, all possible options are being considered and a decision will be made shortly to allow farmers to plan accordingly,” he said.