Minister wants 2m tonnes of grain
Reduced planting is seen by many as the first sign of how EU decoupling will reduce Irish grain production. However, Michael Hennessy, Teagasc tillage specialist, pointed out that the eventual production outcome will be largely influenced by growing conditions for the year.
In the Dáil, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said she was satisfied that, subject to weather conditions, production will continue at the 2m tonnes average of recent years. "It is desirable to maintain this level of production in order to avoid over-dependence on imported grain", she said, in reply to Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan.
Irish grain output has swung between 1.796m tonnes in 1995 and an estimated 2.253m tonnes in 2004; but a considerable increase in spring planting will be needed to reach these levels in 2005.
According to Fianna Fáil TD Ned O'Keeffe, many landowners are finding it difficult to lease out their land. Many were not even receiving offers.
Under the new decoupling policy in January, tillage farmers can still receive their full decoupled single farm payment while farming only 50% of the area they worked in the 2000 to 2002 period. This concession applies to much of the 51% of the national tillage area rented or leased, and it is believed that many farmers, especially in the southern part of the country, are seriously reviewing the rented land option, due to reduced crop profitability.
"Ireland, as one of the few countries that has fully decoupled, should take steps to have the situation re-considered by the European Commission", said Deputy O'Keeffe. He said the people who leased out their land to be worked had helped to create Ireland's level of production on which Ireland's €1.322 billion of single farm payments are based. They are mostly widows and people who have illnesses, and they should be given consideration, said Deputy O'Keeffe.
