Three-Crop Rule Exemption Important Flexibility
IFA National Grain Chair Kieran McEvoy said the exemption to the three-crop rule and crop diversification requirements for tillage farmers in 2024 is an important flexibility.
“Given the weather conditions, it was the only sensible outcome to secure a derogation to the GAEC 7 requirements of crop diversification and the three-crop rule,” he said.
The autumn of 2023 was very difficult nationally. Teagasc analysis estimates that 35,000 hectares fewer winter arable crops were sown for harvest 2024.
An IFA delegation met with officials from the Crop Policy Division in DAFM at the end of January and sought flexibility from crop diversification requirements.
The issue was also raised by IFA President Francie Gorman at a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture last month.
Kieran McEvoy said tillage farmers have been through a torrid time. This week’s CSO figures show the sector suffered a price reduction of €333m or 33%, and overall volumes reduced by 26%, last year.
“An immediate support package is needed for tillage farmers in the 2024 growing season in light of high production costs and a significant drop in grain prices being experienced. IFA will continue to work tirelessly to secure this,” he concluded.
