Written Answers Nos. 88-108
91. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the granting of additional powers to the agri-food regulator, in view of its request for enhanced authority to access non-public market data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54969/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe independent Agri-Food Regulator established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 performs two key functions:
• It enforces the law on unfair trading practices;
• It performs a price and market analysis and reporting function.
As the Deputy is aware, the Agri-food Regulator has reported to me that it requires enhanced powers to compel businesses to provide information that is not in the public domain. This relates specifically to the price and market analysis function.
The Act itself does not permit the Regulator to compel businesses to provide such data. However, the Act provides that the Minister may make regulations on price and market information.
As I have previously stated, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Regulator is equipped with the necessary powers to fulfil its statutory function, subject to the necessary consultative and legislative process. This is required to ensure that the additional powers granted are proportionate.
My officials have engaged with key stakeholders along the agri-food supply chain, including with the Agri-Food Regulator, as part of a detailed consultative process.
Following conclusion of this consultative process, a draft statutory instrument is now being finalised. As this legislation is novel in nature and exceeds the requirements under European law, it is essential that it is thoroughly examined.
I can assure the Deputy that the process to deliver on this commitment is well underway, and my officials have been keeping the Agri-Food Regulator informed on progress. It remains a priority which has my full commitment.
It is important to stress that these additional powers are separate to the extensive powers the Regulator already possesses to seize data in relation to suspected unfair trading practices.
96. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason no quota was introduced for boats under 18-metres fishing for sprat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55040/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 30th September, I signed Policy Directive 1 of 2025 to give legal effect to the decision that Minister Heydon and I announced on 22nd July last to place certain restrictions on trawling activity by larger vessels, that is, vessels over 18 metres in length overall, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines.
From 1 October 2026, trawling activity, that is, the operating of trawl or seine nets, by fishing vessels over 18 metres in length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines will be prohibited.
In addition, a catch limit of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for vessels over 18 metres in length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and inside the baselines from 11 October 2025 to 30 September 2026 only.
At this time, there is no proposal from the European Commission for a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quota management arrangement for sprat in the waters around Ireland. Ireland will, of course, have regard for a possible TAC and quota regime or other appropriate conservation measures going forward if recommended in the scientific advice to support the sustainable management of sprat.
This Government has committed to maintaining support for our inshore sector in the Programme for Government, and I have no plans at this time to introduce a sprat quota limit for vessels under 18 metres. The new restrictions apply to larger vessels only. I am confident that restricting trawling access to the six nautical mile zone to smaller vessels was the right decision and helps to deliver on the promise made by this Government to support our crucial inshore fishing sector. I am mindful of the opportunity that these measures will provide for our important small-scale fishers, and I am confident that these measures will help to re-establish links between local fish resources, local fleets and local economies.
98. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will recognise the need to put greater emphasis on policies and support for the tillage sector, which if expanded would reduce the carbon output from farming and improve the sustainability of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54658/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tillage sector is an integral part of Irish farming, making a significant contribution to agricultural output, and is indeed recognised as a very low greenhouse gas emitting sector. This Government is committed to growing the area under tillage crops in line with Climate Action Plan targets.
The Food Vision Tillage Group report sets out a roadmap for the sector’s growth and development, identifying key opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. Adding value to tillage crop output will be crucial to its long-term sustainability. Emerging technologies such as AgNav will enable farmers to demonstrate the sector’s low-carbon credentials, which will help to open new value-added market opportunities.
My Department continues to work with stakeholders to progress the report’s actions, and as it is an industry report, it will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders.
I will be supporting the tillage sector in 2026 with funding of at least €50m through the Protein Aid Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure and a Tillage Support Scheme. Having secured a funding allocation for this new Tillage Support Scheme, I intend to consult with stakeholders on its design and operation in due course.
In addition to the commitments in Budget 2026, my Department has already delivered substantial supports to tillage farmers in recent years. The Protein Aid Scheme budget increased from €7 million to €10 million annually last year. This year, applications were received for approximately 66,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw under the Straw Incorporation Measure, and I committed to pay all eligible applicants.
In February, I also announced €32.4 million in payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme. The Farming for Water EIP, with a budget of €60 million, supports targeted on-farm measures to improve water quality, including cover crop establishment. This year, over 1,400 tillage farmers expressed interest in participating. The sector also benefits from other supports including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.
I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support where possible given the strategic importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.
101. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will acknowledge the increasing impact of the climate crisis on Irish farmers (details supplied); the measures being taken to support small and family farms facing growing challenges; if he will consider rebalancing supports to promote local and sustainable food systems, ensuring that farmers can make a fair living while supplying their own communities rather than being forced into an export-driven model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55121/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully acknowledge the challenges Irish farmers face due to climate impacts, including the persistent heavy rainfall that affected crop yields and working conditions in 2024. The Government is committed to ensuring that family farms remain viable, resilient, and central to Ireland’s sustainable food system.
Ireland’s agri-food strategy, Food Vision 2030, was developed by the agri-food sector for the sector, adopting a food systems approach, with an ambition for Ireland to be a “World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”.
Each of the strategies four missions has ambitious goals, rooted in a strongly practical approach to what needs to be achieved for future environmental, economic and social sustainability. Actions under Mission 2, in particular, aim to strengthen farm incomes, support diversification, and improve social sustainability.
Farm incomes rebounded strongly in 2024. Average Family Farm Income rose by 87% to €35,937, with further growth forecast for 2025, driven by higher output prices and reduced input costs. My Department continues to rebalance supports toward resilience and sustainability through the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan, which helps fund the transition to sustainable practices while maintaining farm incomes. This is supplemented by additional targeted schemes solely funded by the Exchequer on an annual basis.
I recognise the importance of sustainable supply chains and local markets, and am committed to supporting these through a range of programmes across Government Departments. The Bord Bia Origin Green programme, LEADER funding and continued investment in the bioeconomy and farm diversification measures support farmers to supply their own communities, while retaining Ireland’s strong export base that underpins rural employment and national income.
Ireland’s agri-food policy is not about choosing between local and export production but ensuring both are viable and sustainable. The Government remains firmly committed to supporting farm families to adapt to climate change, enhance resilience, and sustain livelihoods at the heart of our rural communities.
102. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department does not carry out greenhouse gas emissions modelling specifically in relation to the nitrates derogation, given its potentially huge climate impact; if his Department is not required to do so in order to comply with the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55037/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to begin by pointing out that the Nitrates Regulations limit the amount of organic nitrogen applied to land. They do not limit the number of animals held by a farmer. The derogation therefore does not directly impact on emissions from the sector.Retaining Ireland's nitrates derogation is a Government priority that is justified by our grass-based system which is very efficient from a greenhouse gas emissions perspective. It is also important to bear in mind that discontinuing the derogation may have unintended consequences.
An environmental and economic modelling report, commissioned by my Department and published last month by Teagasc, shows removal of the derogation risks resulting in a move away from our grass-based system. If cows cannot walk to land for grazing they will be held indoors, increasing greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions. This will also be negative for biodiversity and may do nothing to improve water quality.
The loss of the derogation would likely increase demand for land to offset the impact of reduced stocking rate limits. Competition for such land would impact other sectors also such as our tillage sector or indeed our ambitions to increase the area under organics, which are key government priorities.
There is also a risk that if farms operating at higher levels of technical efficiency are constrained in cow numbers, they will increase milk yield per cow through increased feed.
Derogation farms are required to implement higher standards than non-derogated farms.
New regulations introduced under the current Nitrates Action Programme reduced the overall chemical Nitrogen allowance for all farmers by 10% in 2022, with a further 5% cut for more intensive farmers applying from this year. They also restrict the use of unprotected urea from the 15th of September this year. These measures will all help to reduce GHG and/or ammonia emissions. However, there is potential to do more.
Agriculture was set a 2030 target of reducing GHG emissions by 25% under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act (2021). I remain committed to that target.
The Marginal Abatement Cost Curve, developed by Teagasc, sets out how farmers can achieve emissions reductions in the most cost-effective manner possible. Government is supporting farmers through supporting improvements in breeding, soil fertility and other actions to reduce emissions.
105. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with farming groups in relation to farm succession planning including the transfer of farmland and other assets, particularly in cases whereby the transfer is to a niece or a nephew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54666/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government prioritises supporting inter-generational farm succession. Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is critical to ensuring a bright future for the agri-food sector. There are a range of supports available under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and these supports are complemented by strong taxation measures, access to finance supports, and comprehensive education and training.
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine these issues. The Commission has produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas, including CAP Supports, Pensions, Taxation, Access to Finance, Access to Land, Collaborative Arrangements, Advisory Services, Education and Training, Gender Balance and the Overall Attractiveness of the Sector. An implementation group within my Department will now carefully consider these recommendations, and will engage with agricultural stakeholders and the relevant public bodies.
However, in relation to taxation and considering the timing of the Budget, I have already progressed some of those recommendations. Taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, and I work closely with him on taxation issues relating to the agri-food sector. The Commission acknowledged that taxation supports are the largest public expenditure in the area of generational renewal. It said that one of the main agri-taxation policy objectives is succession and intergenerational transfer, and that the consensus among stakeholders is that this policy objective, from a taxation perspective, is largely being met. Therefore, it did not propose any major additions or changes to the taxation measures currently available. However, it did make some taxation recommendations, and in Budget 2026, I am pleased that we agreed:
• that Agricultural Relief will remain available to farm families to facilitate succession and the intergenerational transfer of farms. This includes the retention of Favourite Nephew or Niece Relief.
• the renewal of 100% Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief. And in line with the Commission’s recommendation to bring more certainty to succession planning, the relief will be extended by four years instead of the normal three years for such measures.
Agricultural Relief and stamp duty exemptions were worth some €325 million to farm families in 2024.
106. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support struggling farmers in the tillage sector. [55103/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports for the tillage sector announced in Budget 2026. [55034/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 116 together.
I fully recognise the pressures facing the tillage sector, not least the very challenging market outlook and downward price pressure this season, and I have recently engaged directly with the farming organisations to hear their concerns.
This Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops.
In recognition of the sector’s importance, my Department will be supporting the tillage sector in 2026 with funding of at least €50m through the Protein Aid Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure and a Tillage Support Scheme. Having secured additional funding in Budget 2026 for a Tillage Support Scheme, I intend to consult with stakeholders on its design and operation in due course.
In addition to commitments made in Budget 2026, my Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers in recent years. This year, the budget for the Protein Aid Scheme was €10m, having increased from €7m to €10m annually from last year. Applications for approximately 66,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw were submitted for chopping and incorporating under the Straw Incorporation Measure this year, and I made the decision to pay all applicants under the scheme.
In February this year, I announced €32.4 million of payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme, which was Government’s response to the difficult position tillage and horticultural farmers found themselves in due to exceptionally poor weather and continued high input costs last Spring.
The Farming for Water EIP has a budget of €60m to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including establishment of cover crops. This year, over 1,400 tillage farmers have expressed an interest in establishing cover crops under the EIP. The tillage sector is also being supported under other schemes, including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.
The Food Vision Tillage Group report identifies opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders to progress the actions in the report, and as it is an industry report, it will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders.
I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support where possible given the strategic importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.
107. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is time for a radical policy shift to maintain young farmers (details supplied) in view of the fact the number of farm holders under 35 years-of-age has decreased by nearly a third in the past 12 years. [55010/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe challenge of attracting young people into a career in farming is widely recognised, both at national and EU level. Demographic challenges for the agricultural sector are not unique to Ireland – our statistics, which show that 4.35% of farmers are under 35 years of age, and over 37% are over 65, similar to EU average figures. Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is therefore critical to ensuring a bright future for the agri-food sector.
Food Vision 2030, the stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, highlights the challenge of generational renewal and proposes several actions, including maintaining the current strong level of support, the promotion of succession planning & land mobility, and increased education and promotion of the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to farmers under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These supports are complemented by a suite of strong national taxation measures, access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training supports..
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine these issues. The Commission has produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas, including CAP Supports, Pensions, Taxation, Access to Finance, Access to Land, Collaborative Arrangements, Advisory Services, Education and Training, Gender Balance and the Overall Attractiveness of the Sector.
The recent Budget takes the first steps towards addressing the Commission’s recommendations with a view to supporting the next generation of farmers. The Budget ensures that a number of critical taxation measures remain in place, for example Agricultural Relief which facilitates succession and the intergenerational transfer of farms. This important relief delivers approximately €230 million annually in tax supports to farm families making the significant decision to transfer their land to the younger generation.
The 100% Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief is another vital support for young farmers valued at around €20 million annually. In line with the Commission’s recommendation to bring more certainty to succession planning, the relief will be extended by four years instead of the normal three years for such measures.
Farm Restructuring (CGT) relief supports the reduction of farm fragmentation, which makes farms more efficient, contributing to both economic and environmental sustainability, and this is matched with a complementary Stamp Duty for Farm Consolidation relief. Both of these reliefs will be extended by four years.
These are the immediate taxation measures in response to the report by the Commission on Generational Renewal. An implementation team in my Department will work on the recommendations of the Commission. While some recommendations are for consideration and progress in the context of the next CAP, others can be progressed in a shorter time frame.
Attracting the next generation of farmers is critical to ensure that the agri-food sector remains vibrant and sustainable into the future and this analysis ensures that we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for future policy on generational renewal.
