Feed mills have been called on to use Irish grains by IFA grain chair Mark Browne.

Some feed merchants are now producing rations which contain little or no Irish grain and have replaced it with maize grain from non-EU sources, according to the IFA.

“Irish grain production continues to be undermined by the mass importation of grains from third countries, which are grown under different environmental and sustainability standards to Irish grain, at lower costs of production.

“This grain is produced under regulations which allow the use of pesticides and breeding techniques which are banned in Ireland,” he said.

Imports

Despite the production of 2.4m tonnes of native grains last harvest, Ireland still imported 580,000t of mainly GM maize from third countries up to end of January alone, the IFA said, with Brazil accounting for the majority of that figure at 300,000t.

“This level of imports is inexcusable considering that some feed merchants are refusing to use Irish barley which is still available in store.

“In relation to trade policy, the incoming Government must ensure a level playing field and cannot continue to tell Irish farmers to use fewer plant protection products, less fertiliser, embrace biodiversity, etc, while allowing these volumes of maize imports with inferior sustainability standards,” he said.

Importance of tillage sector

“Government cannot ignore the strategic importance of the tillage sector to the broader agricultural industry and the critical role native grains play in relation to Ireland’s food provenance credentials in addition to the low carbon footprint of the sector.

“In this regard, Bord Bia must include the use of local and sustainable feed ingredients in any current and proposed farm sustainability schemes,” he said.

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