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Where clorothalonil is not available, there is the potential for a net margin reduction of over 50% in wheat and 65% in Irish barley production, the IFA has said.
IFA grain committee chair Mark Browne said the loss of the product is going to compound the income crisis in the sector.
“Grain farmers have already experienced successive years of poor returns, which has resulted in a 20% reduction or 67,500ha in the total area planted to the main cereal crops over the past 10 years,” Browne said.
Chlorothalonil has been recently re-authorised in a number of countries such as Canada, from which Ireland currently imports feed grains, he added.
'Ban grain imports'
“In order to maintain equivalence of standards, the Irish government and MEPs should propose a ban on the import of grains from countries which continue to use the active ingredient.”
The decision not to renew the active ingredient in sprays such as Bravo would also have a knock-on effect for the livestock, mushroom and drinks sectors, which rely on tillage for raw materials and branding purposes.
“Any further drop in the area of Irish cereals could seriously undermine the validity of the Origin Green brand,” said Browne.
He called on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to put supports and measures in place to mitigate the effects of the loss of the active ingredient.
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