The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has doubled down on its support for the suspension of the Straw Incorporation Measure.

INHFA president Vincent Roddy said the decision to suspend the scheme had to be viewed in light of the need to ensure adequate bedding and feed supplies next spring and avoid the potential for any animal welfare issues.

“Look, the reality is that the country could potentially be facing serious straw shortages next spring and that has animal welfare implications both from a bedding and feed perspective.

"To address that issue the Minister [Charlie McConalogue] had to take action now rather than contend with weak supplies next February and March or depend on imported straw,” Roddy maintained.

'Understood and accepted'

The INHFA leader said “he understood and accepted” why tillage farmers were angry that the Straw Incorporation Measure had been suspended.

“Obviously, there is an expectation around payments and this issue will have to be addressed by the Department of Agriculture,” he maintained.

However, Roddy said action had to be taken to prevent the threat posed by a potential shortage of straw.

At a wider level, Roddy said the controversy regarding the Straw Incorporation Measure highlighted the need for greater appreciation of how policies in one sector have unforeseen consequences for other farm enterprises.

“We need a wider conversation around the interdependency between the different farming sectors. We need to have that now, because, clearly, we’ve seen the area of tillage shrink over the last number of years due to dairy expansion.

“So, we need to have those conversations. For example, what did people think was going to happen when we encouraged thousands of people into the organic livestock sector where there is a requirement for straw bedded housing?,” Roddy asked.

Roddy had initially commended Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue for his decision to suspend the Straw Incorporation Measure in his address at the INHFA’s AGM last Thursday.