Minister wants to suspend measure to integrate straw men

The program is designed to provide financial support to arable farmers to increase the organic carbon content of the soil by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops.

Minister McConalogue said he would now “speak to the Farmers Charter and the CAP Monitoring Committee about my proposal to suspend the measure for this year before submitting an application for approval to the EU”.

“Last winter, national straw reserves were depleted, resulting in very low availability in the early months of this year. Although growth is currently improving, there are signs that feed supplies are still below what we would like,” McConalogue said.

“While I understand that arable farmers may be disappointed by this move, there is a very strong market for straw this year due to shortages and the need to replenish stocks.

“I remain fully committed to achieving the straw incorporation targets throughout the duration of the CAP Strategic Plan.”

Referring to the recommendations made following the meeting of the National Committee on Feed and Food Security last week, the Minister added: “It is vital for all farmers to ensure they have stocked up on straw and feed for the coming winter.

“I urge all those who need straw to work with farmers to ensure their supply for the coming winter.”

“Disillusioned”

Irish Farmers’ Association President Francie Gorman said the minister needed to “meet all stakeholders and come up with a proper plan that takes into account all sectors and all options”.

“The SIM has proven to be a positive for arable farmers under very difficult conditions,” said Mr Gorman.

The chairman of the grains association IFA, Kieran McEvoy, said that arable farmers would be “very disillusioned” by the move.

“In fact, arable farmers can opt out of the program if they want to. If that option is left open until after harvest, much of the better straw will be baled rather than ploughed under,” McEvoy said.

The straw from some crops is not suitable as animal feed, so the disposal of this straw is detrimental to arable farmers’ profits.

“Arable farmers’ incomes will fall dramatically in 2024 due to bad weather, a 35% decline in winter plantings and a grain market in free fall.

“Earlier this year, the minister himself announced that he intended to support arable farmers with a payment of at least 100 euros per hectare. There are still little to no details on this and now the minister is taking a payment away from arable farmers.”