Kildare Senator engaging with Agriculture Minister on concerns for tillage farmers

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin is engaging with the Minister of Agriculture Charlie McConalogue about her concerns in relation to the planned deferral of the Straw Incorporation Measure.

The Straw Incorporation Measure is a scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), which pays tillage farmers up to €250/ha to chop and incorporate straw into soils, improving soil health and organic matter content.

Senator O’Loughlin said she is “hugely concerned” for tillage farmers in Kildare if this measure is to be deferred or stopped.

“Tillage farmers are a huge part of our local economy and our local communities, and we must do all we can to support them,” she said.

The Kildare politician added that she has engaged with the Minister on this matter, and he has been ‘very co-operative’.

“Despite my concerns of this deferral which I know will be considered by the Minister, I acknowledge that Minister McConalogue has put good supports in place for tillage farmers, and I know he is fully committed to implementing the €100/ha payment for all crops planted for this harvest year. The Minister remains committed to delivering on the targets for straw incorporation over the lifetime of the CAP Strategic Plan,” she said.

“I don’t believe importing fodder at this point would make any sense, as suggested by Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard, so the Minister has a lot to consider. Minister McConalogue has recently attended meetings with farmers in Rathangan and Athy, and having raised my concerns with him, he is meeting with the IFA and grain farmers early [this] week in relation to this matter.”