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The Department of Agriculture is waiting on the green light from the European Commission to roll-out a €10m straw chopping scheme.
The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) will see tillage farmers paid to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating the straw from eligible crops back into the soil.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said officials from his Department are currently in discussions with the European Commission to finalise the details of the measure.
Approval
In response to a question from Independent TD Carol Nolan, the Minister said once agreement with the Commission was reached, full details of the measure would be published.
As farmers continue to complete their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications ahead of the 17 May deadline, many tillage farmers are awaiting the details of the scheme.
Minister McConalogue said the SIM scheme was part of a suite of measures to ensure continued support to the tillage sector during the transition period leading up to the new CAP.
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