The IFA’s grain committee has this week proposed there be a minimum inclusion rate of Irish grain in animals fed under the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme.

It represents a major step forward in getting the issues in the Irish tillage sector on the table and discussed.

It’s not before time. The Irish tillage sector is under huge pressure. Reduced prices and higher input, machinery and land rental costs have meant many exited the sector in recent years, with more and more tillage farmers questioning their future in the Irish tillage industry.

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For years now we have been hearing about imports of grain and the uneven playing field that tillage farmers line out on.

This year they will fight for sales against maize and soya produced using genetic modification, chemicals that are banned in the EU and crops that are grown with fertiliser that is not subject to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism tax.

It is getting easier to understand why farmers say they have one hand tied behind their backs.

It’s very hard for Irish tillage farmers, most of whom have to grow more than two crops under the two-crop rule, to compete with 40,000ha South American farms with little or no regulations or any focus on sustainability.

Different standards

The recent focus on Brazilian beef production systems has highlighted sub-standard beef production, and we shouldn’t shy away from highlighting the different standards in grain production.

For 25 years, we have been fighting against the Mercosur trade deal. It is only in recent times that the levels of grain have really come under the spotlight.

We are bringing one million tonnes or more of Mercosur grain and protein into this country every year.

Almost 3,000 lorry loads of straw were imported into the country from January to November last year.

This straw is bringing in weeds and adds huge risk to both our tillage and livestock sector. Livestock farmers need to realise that risk for their own farms, but also for the good of the tillage sector.

Imports

On the tillage pages this week, Siobhán Walsh calls for more restrictions on imports and notes that there is plenty of straw on the market. Despite all the talk about the negatives of the straw chopping scheme, we are not short on straw, with ample supplies in sheds at the moment.

We now have proof to show that Irish grain has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world.

As an industry, all sectors of agriculture need to work together, so supporting Irish grain should be a normal part of agriculture.

Having a minimum inclusion rate of native grain will help to create demand for Irish grain and force mills who are not using any Irish grain to play a part in the wider sector.

The question will come up as to who pays for this. Tillage farmers are currently looking at breakeven margins.

History has taught us that you need to be ahead of your competitor when it comes to marketing your products

A €20/tonne increase in price at 25% inclusion rate translates into €5/tonne for the livestock farmer, and in reality there isn’t enough native grain for a 25% inclusion rate.

If we think further ahead, it could add value to our products where there is a market for a higher level of verified sustainability.

History has taught us that you need to be ahead of your competitor when it comes to marketing your products. We need to be ahead of the game on this.

So far, both the industry and Bord Bia have shied away from any involvement in mandating the use of Irish grain, citing EU state aid rules as one of the reasons they can’t go down that road.

We need tillage farmers to prove that the carbon footprint of the grain they produce is low.

AgNav is now available for tillage farmers, but numbers engaged in the process so far have been disappointing.

If proof is required, this is a great place to start with the building blocks there to argue Irish grain’s sustainability attributes.

The image of Irish livestock farmers working hand-in-hand with Irish tillage farmers has to also count for something in telling the unique story of Irish food production.

It’s expected the proposal will be adopted by the IFA national council at its March meeting, and then the real work will begin on getting buy-in from both the government and industry on the changes that are needed.