The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today announced that payments have commenced under the 2021 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).
Minister McConalogue stated, “I am delighted to confirm that payments are now issuing under the 2021 Straw Incorporation Measure. The SIM has proven itself to be a really popular scheme that offers crucial income supports to farmers while also being a positive environmental action. Almost €8 million will be paid to approximately 1,800 tillage farmers. Farmers who committed to chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops (wheat, oats, barley and rye) will receive €250 per hectare, with oilseeds being paid at €150 per hectare. Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days.”
The Minister added, “This is a new measure introduced in 2021 to support tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels on their farms. This measure is an important support to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the tillage sector. That is why I have secured additional funding for the Straw Incorporation Measure again in 2022. I have also proposed that the Straw Incorporation Measure is included in the next CAP, which will commence in 2023 and I know it will continue to be a success.
Further Information
The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is a support Measure for tillage farmers under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 (Agri-environment-climate), as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme.
This Measure is funded under the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) fund.
The purpose of the Measure is to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal and oilseed crops. This will sequester carbon in tillage soils, thereby reducing GHG emissions. The incorporation of straw will also have positive impact on soil biology and soil workability. This will further improve the environmental sustainability of the tillage sector.
