Incentive to Save Fodder an Important Step, But More Needed – IFA

IFA President Tim Cullinan said it was important that the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has opened the scheme to support farmers to build up feedstocks.

However, he said more will be needed to cover the massive increase in costs of production.

“The war in Ukraine has fuelled hikes in input costs, which are putting huge pressure on farmers. This week’s CSO figures show that the price of fertiliser has increased by 180% to the end of April, while green diesel prices have increased 25% in the last month,” he said.

“The Minister must move quickly to announce the full details of the scheme and ensure that every farmer who applies for funding will be covered. The way input costs are going, more support will be needed,” he said.

“There are real food security concerns and it’s important that farmers are helped and supported to produce food,” he said.