The IFA national council passed a proposal this week to work towards a minimum inclusion rate for Irish grain in animal feed. The organisation will propose that animal feed with a “defined percentage of grains produced under the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme appropriate to the monogastric or ruminant system”, will be fed on quality assured farms.

This will promote the low-carbon footprint of Irish grain. The IFA’s next step will be to approach Bord Bia.

The minimum inclusion rate has not yet been decided and in a case where Irish grain production declines due to “unavoidable circumstances” there will be a force majeure option to allow for more flexibility.

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Grain chair John Murphy noted that there may be an opportunity to expand the pilot sustainability scheme, currently under construction for the drinks sector, to include animal feed.