Among the assembled are representatives of farmers, merchants, and the seed and fertiliser trade. Teagasc is making a presentation on trends in land use, harvest out-turn, and crop margins.

IFA president Joe Healy, who called for the establishment of the forum, outlined the IFA’s action plan in advance of today’s meeting.

Citing impending losses of €100m on grain farms, Healy called for a sector-specific financial rescue package, a derogation from the conditions for greening on tillage farms, and access to competitively priced credit.

The IFA also wants mandatory screening of grain imports for “economically damaging” weeds such as blackgrass and sterile brome, a certification scheme for domestic grain to increase its usage, and promotion of Irish grain inclusion in native whiskeys and craft beers.

Action by the EU to lower input costs and better support for tillage through TAMS, GLAS, and the protein payment are also sought.

A debate on the tillage sector in Dáil Eireann is also scheduled for this evening.

You can read more on the tillage forum in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal and over the coming days on farmersjournal.ie

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