The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed to Agriland that nearly 28,000t of straw has been imported into Ireland since 2023.

Between January 1, 2023 and January 15 this year, 1,544 consignments of straw, totalling 27,866t, have been brought into the country, all of which originated in the UK.

During 2023, there were 45 consignments imported from the UK to Ireland, weighing just over 1,000t.

Last year, due to challenging weather conditions impacting yields, straw was reported to be in short supply in many areas.

As a result, there was a dramatic increase in imports with some 1,479 consignments with a total weight of almost 26,500t.

Up to January 15 this year, the department said that 20 consignments had arrived into the country (401t).

The following table provides a breakdown of straw imports into Ireland since 2023:

Hay and straw must be presented for official controls at the Border Control Post (BCP) upon arrival into Ireland.

Hay and straw are non-harmonised products which means there is no EU set of rules governing their import requirements. As such, national rules apply.

The department said that as animal pathogens could potentially be transmitted via hay and straw, it is important to protect Ireland’s high health status by only permitting the import of these commodities from certain countries, including the UK.

The data shows that eight physical checks were carried out on consignments in 2023, with that figure increasing to 42 in 2024, while one physical check was carried out up to January 15 this year.

"Officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine conducted a 100% documentary and identity check on all imported consignments of straw, while 51 also received a physical inspection.

"Following inspection no consignments of straw have been rejected, re-exported, or destroyed," a DAFM spokesperson said.