Calls for tillage crisis fund ahead of forum

There have been calls for tillage TAMS to finally be announced ahead of the national tillage forum on Thursday.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, IFA grain chair Liam Dunne said poor grain prices over the past four years has made it difficult for any investments.

“Tillage farmers are in very poor circumstances and we need support.”

He is hopeful that Minister of Agriculture Michael Creed will make an announcement on TAMS as “it’s been two years coming and it’s a programme that we need.”

Meanwhile, the IFA grain chair is also hoping for the abolition of the clawback entitlement, meaning people who wish to sell entitlements can do so without major clawback.

“We are seriously expecting the 100% green cover of the three-crop rule to be brought down to 25%. It’s too much the way it is and can’t work. Department officials are said to be in favour of this,” he added.

Bad weather last year resulted in the loss of crops however, Liam said: “this could be averted if we didn’t have to sow winter crops, so some things are just not working”.

Screening imported grain

Other issues expected to be addressed on Thursday include the introduction of screening of imported grain and straw traceability to ensure foreign weeds are not coming into Ireland.

Liam added that he is hopeful a support certificate scheme will be introduced to show how much designated Irish grain is in Irish rations, as well as abolishing the anti-dumping tariff that was brought in as a temporary measure 25 years ago for fertiliser.

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