Press release
Minister McConalogue launches Tillage Incentive Scheme as part of Department’s €12 million support package
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Following on from the package of measures announced last week to provide support to Irish farmers, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., has launched the Tillage Incentive Scheme.
Minister McConalogue said,
“As part of our response to the cost increases currently facing Irish farmers, I am delighted to launch the Tillage Incentive Scheme. The Tillage Incentive Scheme aims to support farmers to grow more tillage crops in 2022, to reduce Ireland’s dependency on imported feed material. We have acted quickly to put this package in place and I am grateful to my Department and everyone in the sector for working so hard to deliver it.”
Minister McConalogue added,
“The budget for the Tillage Incentive Scheme is €10 million and with a proposed payment rate of €400 per hectare. This payment reflects a contribution towards the increase in the cost of growing crops in 2022.”
Farmers wishing to apply for the Tillage Incentive Scheme should declare the eligible crops on their 2022 BPS application on www.agfood.ie by the closing date of 16th May 2022.
Minister McConalogue stated:
“I urge farmers to take account of the Tillage Incentive Scheme when deciding on crops to sow in the coming days and weeks. I also remind farmers that the crops declared on your 2022 Basic Payment Scheme application will be the basis for entry into the scheme and for any future payments under the scheme”.
Minister of State Martin Heydon said:
“From the outset of the illegal invasion of Ukraine we have seen a strong, coordinated response across the EU in all areas including the agri-food sector. This scheme is an important part of Ireland’s response to support farmers and it contains a number of options those interested should consider.”
The Department has confirmed it is finalising the Red Clover Silage Measure which was also announced as part of last week’s package. Further details on that measure will follow very shortly.
Finally, Minister McConalogue said,
“I am also pleased to announce a derogation for farmers in relation to the crop diversification rule under the Greening Scheme for 2022. This change will provide maximum flexibility for farmers with regards their planting decisions.”
Further information including terms and conditions and FAQ are available on the Department website Tillage Incentive Scheme
Notes for Editor:
• The Tillage Incentive Scheme will incentivise farmers to grow additional tillage crops. Russia and Ukraine are significant sources of global cereal exports, so the price and availability of cereals globally is impacted by the situation in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia.
• It is proposed to encourage farmers to grow more tillage crops (e.g. barley, oats, wheat) in 2022 versus 2021.
• For area of crops to be eligible, the land must have been in grassland in 2021.
• Farmers should declare the relevant crops on their 2022 BPS application along with all their other land for 2022 in the normal way.
• Based on the crops declared on the 2022 BPS application, the Department will write to eligible farmers in June 2022.