Dáil hears plight of tillage farmers in Wicklow
The Wicklow PeopleAgriculture Minister Martin Heydon has been asked to introduce further long term supports for tillage farmers in Wicklow.
Speaking in the Dáil, Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan said the sector is currently on its knees.
“Minister, we were both in Naas. We saw what went on. They were expecting 250 people but over 1,000 turned up.“It was a clear statement that the tillage industry is on its knees. The tillage sector needs help. It has got help in the budget, but it needs more help. It needs a long-term plan. That is what we really need.
The Irish Farmers' Association hosted an emergency meeting on behalf of the crops sector in Naas, Co. Kildare in September.
A range of stakeholder organisations including the Irish Grain Growers Group, Tillage Industry Ireland, the Food Vision Tillage Group, and Teagasc were represented at the event with speakers from these organisations reflecting on the current state of crop production in Ireland.
Minister Heydon also addressed the meeting and took questions from representatives who cited numerous challenges confronting Irish growers.
Deputy Brennan believes the tillage industry is being saturated by cheap imports.
“We must tackle that. There are European regulations. We must accept that but, in some way, we have to increase the support for the people on the ground.”
“I come from a hospitality background but one thing I know is that in business, whether you are in tillage or are a publican or a hotelier, if you do not make a margin, you are at nothing and you are wasting your time.
“If your costs are too high and you are not getting your price, you are simply at nothing.”
Deputy Brennan expressed concern at what he is hearing on the ground.
“When I am speaking to the farmer, I am also speaking to their children. I can see a conveyor belt of young farmers leaving our country from the tillage sector if we do not address this issue urgently.”
He believes more needs to be done to address the pressure farmers are facing.
“I have a huge issue with the sale of Irish whiskey when it is not fully Irish. It should be what is on the label. We must fight stronger to make sure that our farmers are producing the goods for our products.
“We have good, strong products. We have a worldwide reputation, and it is crucial.
Deputy Brennan made a further plea for support from the minister.
“I am asking for further help and a long-term strategy, otherwise we will be in trouble with the tillage industry.”
In response Minister Heydon says he will engage directly with those working in the sector.
“At a challenging time for the sector, I will be supporting growers in 2026 with funding through a new tillage support scheme, in conjunction with the protein aid scheme and the straw incorporation measure, providing targeted supports of at least €50 million.
“Having secured a funding allocation for a new tillage support scheme, I intend to consult further with stakeholders on its design and operation.”