Does a new government mean a new impetus for agriculture?
The new government will fully recognise the role played by agriculture at the very heart of the Irish economy and across society as a whole.
This was the clear message delivered by Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East, Thomas Byrne, at a meeting of the Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG) held in Monasterboice, Co. Louth earlier this week.
Specifically where tillage is concerned, the current minister of state for the Gaeltacht referenced his party’s general election manifesto commitment of wanting to deliver an additional €300 million of support to the sector over the next five years.
“Momentum will start to build during the first quarter of this year as the new government gets to work.
“This will include the payment of the €100/ha payment agreed for tillage farmers, which was agreed as part of Budget 2025," Minister Byrne said.
The Meath East TD also views the government’s response to the Food Vision Tillage Report as unfinished business.
“The department of agriculture is engaging with stakeholder on this matter. A meeting of the Vision Group will take place in early February. Last year’s report remains a very relevant blueprint, where the future of Irish tillage is concerned.
“I am hopeful that the new government will give the work of the Tillage Vision Group renewed impetus.
"The commitment to expand the footprint of the Irish tillage sector remains a fundamental part of Ireland’s climate action and remains a cornerstone of government policy," he continued.
Minister Byrne believes that a two-party coalition will find it easier to make decisions than was the case with the previous tripartite government arrangement.
“The new government sees the tillage sector as being very important. The general election is over now, so the new programme for government will seek to deliver on the promises that were made and building on what has been achieved over the past number of years.
“Tillage has contributed a total of €2 billion to the Irish economy over the past four years.
“There are 11,000 jobs in the sector as well. But it’s not just about the economic impact of the industry. It is also about its food impact and the key role played by tillage within agriculture as a whole," the minister said.
According to Minister Byrne, recent years have seen the cause of the tillage sector communicated to government in a much more effective manner.
“Traditionally, this would not have been the case, and this has come about as a direct result of the lobbying work and campaigning carried out by organisations such as the Irish Grain Growers’ Group," he added.
