Agri contractors must be involved in the drafting of the proposed plan to address the animal feed challenges which have arisen as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has also called for fuel supplies for farm work to be “ring-fenced” and the carbon tax on green diesel to be suspended.

FCI said such radical action will be required to ensure the success of a national strategy to increase domestic feed and fodder supplies.

The National Fodder and Food Security Committee was established this week by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue following a meeting with the main farm organisations. However, FCI was not invited to the meeting.

'Left outside the door'

“Farm contractors are aggrieved that once again they have been left outside door when it comes to planning for agricultural production, but they will be expected to be on the end of the phone line and quickly in the fields delivering quality and efficient work with their machines when the work has to be done,” said FCI chair John Hughes.

Hughes said any credible plan which aims to increase the area sown to cereals and fodder crops must have input from agri contractors. Moreover, such a national strategy will need to address the soaring cost of green diesel, he added.

'Insulted'

The FCI chair said contractors were “grossly insulted” by the Government decision to reduce the excise duty on green diesel by the equivalent of just 2c/l.

“This reduction comes at a time when agricultural diesel prices have risen by 75% in three months,” Hughes pointed out.

“We are seeking the abolition of carbon tax on all diesel supplies for farm and forestry contractors and we are seeking that the Government ring-fence agri diesel supplies of up to 200 million litres for farm and forestry contractors between now and the end of August to ensure that the national silage crop can be harvested without impediment,” he maintained.

Who does the Minister and his officials think will do the additional emergency cultivations, sowing and harvesting work

“If diesel supplies to farm and forestry contractors are not guaranteed who does the Minister and his officials think will do the additional emergency cultivations, sowing and harvesting work that he plans to put in place?” Hughes asked.

“These exorbitant agricultural diesel price increases, coupled with the lack of adequate Government support, will force many farm and forestry contractors to consider the option of offering their services to farming this year,” the FCI chair warned.

"Contractor fuel costs will put extreme pressure on the cashflow of contractor businesses this season,” Hughes said.

“If agri diesel supplies are not secured, and if agri diesel costs are not supported through the abolition of carbon tax for farm and forestry contractors, we are facing into a fodder crisis in the winter of 2022,” he predicted.