Spring barley growers supplying product for distilling to Midleton Distillery through local merchants can get an additional €15/t under a new scheme.

Qualifying growers can get the payment where they meet the standards required in this new sustainability scheme.

Qualifying growers must participate in a choice of measures

The ‘Green Spring Barley Scheme’ aims to reduce carbon footprint and promote biodiversity on farms supplying barley for distilling. Qualifying growers must participate in a choice of measures and also in a survey to help identify measures to achieve these objectives.

The move by Irish Distillers is seen as a recognition of the high environmental standards operated by these growers.

The scheme acknowledges that the production of barley to meet these quality standards requires significant additional care and costs

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) grain chair Mark Browne welcomed the scheme saying that the IFA had sought recognition from Irish Distillers to support farmers who provide the quality barley used to make whiskey brands such as Jameson, Powers, Redbreast and Midleton Very Rare.

The scheme acknowledges that the production of barley to meet these quality standards requires significant additional care and costs. It also recognises the role farmers play in the sustainable production of one of our most valuable agri food exports, Browne said.

We value the quality Irish barley used to make our whiskey

At the launch, chief executive of Irish Distillers Conor McQuaid emphasised that: “Our approach to sustainability is holistic and centres on the grain-to-glass journey. We value the quality Irish barley used to make our whiskeys and place a particular emphasis on sourcing, certification and traceability.

“For this reason, from 2020 onwards, we have decided to introduce a tailored sustainability programme which will support tillage farmers in delivering further environmental benefits on their farms.”

It is important that primary producers be recognised and rewarded from the successes achieved by the Irish drinks industry, with exports valued at €1.45bn in 2019.