Gavin Owens, director of bulk straw supplier Strawchip, has confirmed that he has had to import up to 20% of his annual straw supply from mainland Europe due to poor weather in Ireland limiting domestic supply.

“There is straw in the UK but it’s not good quality and it’s after becoming very expensive,” Owens said.

Last month, Teagasc estimated that a fifth of straw in the country still had to be harvested due to prolonged periods of unseasonably wet weather.

The straw is believed to have come from Spain, and shows the difficulty farmers are having in securing straw across the country.

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