A conflict has arisen among Ministers concerning the halt of a €12-million initiative that financially rewards farmers for transforming straw into a soil blend. Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue, put the programme on hold last week, resulting in a wave of criticism from farming groups and Fine Gael representatives, among them his departmental peer, State Minister Martin Heydon.
The initiative was created to financially aid arable farmers in improving soil organic carbon percentages by integrating straw from cereal crops into the soil. This week, Mr McConalogue announced his plan to request a postponement of this year’s version of the initiative from the European Commission. He justified this by pointing out that poor weather conditions last winter led to a significant decrease in the country’s straw supplies, resulting in a scarcity earlier in the year.
He highlighted the need to focus on replenishing fodder supplies for the following year, acknowledging that crop farmers may find this action disheartening. On Thursday, a statement released to farming publications revealed that Mr Heydon believed farmers had already made preparations in anticipation of the initiative’s continuity. He said the decision to suspend the initiative, taken in the midst of harvest time, has sent many farmers’ plans into turmoil. He expressed his concern over the amount of discussion that had occurred with farmers and their agents before the proposed changes.
A collective of five Fine Gael deputies and senators are urging Mr McConalogue to overturn the suspension decision. Deputies David Stanton and John Paul Phelan and Senators Tim Lombard, John Cummins, and Garret Ahearn argued that the abrupt decision defied logic and called for a reversal. “Having chopped straw according to the scheme’s guidelines and expecting remuneration, the move to put the scheme on hold is difficult to comprehend,” they argued in a press release from the Fine Gael office.
Francie Gorman, president of the Irish Farmers Association, criticised the decision as a unilateral action that overlooked the serious difficulties facing the arable farming sector. He stressed the widespread apprehension regarding fodder supplies for the coming winter, but urged the Minister to engage with all stakeholders to devise an effective plan that takes into account all sectors and possibilities. He concluded by stating that the [Straw Incorporation Measure] has been of great benefit to arable farmers operating under severe constraints.