Potential savings on the cost of silage plastic have been swallowed up by an increase in recycling levies.

The raw material cost for bale wrap and pit covers should have translated into lower prices to farmers this year. Instead, they are set to pay around the same prices as 2018, suppliers have told the Irish Farmers Journal.

The Irish Farm Film Producers’ Group (IFFPG) increased the recycling levy on new plastic by €30/t in January, equivalent to around 75c/roll of bale wrap.

“There is a small weakness in raw material prices, but this is countered by the increase in the levy,” said Seamus O’Callaghan of wholesaler Durapak.

“I’d say the price will be the same as last year for farmers and contractors,” said Maurice Keady of Co Wexford manufacturer Silawrap.

Peter Brennan of distributor Goldcrop predicted a slight rise in the price of pit covers, but no significant change in bale wrap or netting.

The levy increase, along with a €5/t hike in fees to discard used plastic at bring centres, has given IFFPG access to a new recycler in Lithuania, said the group’s general manager Liam Moloney.

EU recyclers have been swamped since China stopped importing the material over one year ago

Existing outlets in the UK and the Netherlands are continuing to process some Irish farm plastic too, although at a slower rate and higher cost. EU recyclers have been swamped since China stopped importing the material over one year ago.

Moloney also said that Bord na Móna’s waste treatment business, AES, is on track to open a recycling plant in Littleton, Co Tipperary, next month. It aims to process 10,000t of film plastic this year and 25,000t/annum in the future.

IFFPG collected a record 30,000t of farm plastic last year. Moloney said this is now being moved abroad and contractors are ready to organise centres, starting this Friday at Kilmallock Mart, Co Limerick.

Some independent collectors, however, have stopped this business because of soaring recycling costs.

FRS in Cahir, Co Tipperary, has said it is not planning to re-open its bring centre this year.