Victor Boyhan Calls for Tillage Funding and Grain Distinction

Thank you. Firstly, I want to welcome all the witnesses here. I particularly want to acknowledge the IFA's Budget Submission 2026. It's very professional, and I think that's really important about getting your messages across. But I think the key issue... I also want to acknowledge the Irish grain growers, and if I may, I think you've got it right. You're focused, your attention to detail, your presentation, your kiosks are clear. We don't need chapters, we don't need verse about what's required for this sector. We know it is suffering. We know there are huge losses, particularly huge financial losses and yield losses, particularly pertinent to those who have to lease land. We know there is a need. You talk, Mr McAvoy, about the cost of machinery, and I appreciate that and acknowledge that. Deputy Laird had a very robust interjection there in the meeting, and I hear what he's saying. And of course, we know that all the political parties committed to the pre-election support on tillage. We've only another week to wait, and look forward to having the same meeting in a week's time, and see how robust people are around this table about the actions of it. But if you were to read from the Thornister Simon Harris' small piece in agri-land during the week, he is committed, or he's publicly committed himself, to doing something in the budget. So that has to be encouraged. And Minister Hayden, after all, Deputy Laird, is the Minister for Agriculture, ultimately. So whatever deal they carve out is a matter for them. And I wish them all well. But I'm very supportive of the sector. I think it's really, really important. But I want to tease out some of the questions. I said, you came in here, I made a submission, the Irish grain growers have said, the financial package, our key asks. That's what you headed it up. And you said tillage sustainability expansion programme. So I want to hear a bit more about that. An absolute commitment. One-liners. We don't need first and chapter on policies. The ask is for 92 million per annum over five years. Core element is 350 per acre payment. Somewhat different than the IFA, who say that they are looking for, IFA have campaigned for 65 million. The tillage survival plan to be introduced by this government. So there's a variance there within the two organisations, which I think is particularly interesting as well. So what I want to say really is that, because I want to hear from you, is the, we know that morale, you've clearly made that, I know farmers, we all know farmers, that morale, we saw it in the ploughing, we saw it in Tullamore when we talked to farmers on the ground, that it is at an all-time low. And cost inputs, we know about the cost inputs in detail, we don't need to go into them. We know about the particular exposure, I say, for people who have to rent land, and they need to rent additional land. That's just part of the nature of it. So I don't doubt the government's support, but ultimately, there are, and I'm not here to make any excuse for government, I'm not party to any government, I'm an independent, but I believe there are many challenges on government expenditure. And there are many various sectors within agriculture that absolutely need funding. So I just think that's an important point. You might just touch on something. The greater tax relief needed for tillage. Because I think taxation is a really important aspect of income. And the Irish grain voters in the past have urged for long-term leasing tax breaks incentives for land rental for the tillage sector. That's one record of being involved with in the past. So, look, I think everyone in this room hears what you're saying. Everyone feels your pain. And I think we'll have to wait to see what happens. But in simple terms, I ask you this. Give me, this committee, each of you, each of the groups that I represent him, three of the most important asks you want us to take from this particular meeting on behalf of your organisations. So, who's going to start on that in the brief time that's remaining? I ask that we get the 65 million support for five years. I think it's very important that it's not a Band-Aid, it's not a one-year thing, that it gives security to tillage. And if that turns out to be 93 million, I won't say no to it either. Or two. The second thing we need is, we need a serious implementation of the Food Vision 2030 group. There's 28 recommendations in that, Deputy, for the tillage sector. And I know that there is good work being done by the Department of Agriculture on that. But some of those need to be rolled on and moved forward to support the tillage. And thirdly, we need to get support from government on the drinks industry, in particular, where people are not using native grains. Thank you. One of the key asks from grain growers is that we need to differentiate between Irish grain and imports. That's a key ask. Every other sector has to differentiate milk, dairy, or milk, beef, lamb, pig, pork, all have their own distinction. We need to differentiate between native Irish and imports. The reality is, two-thirds of the feed used in this country is imported. 70% of that is imported from outside Europe. The second key ask we'd like is a marketing budget to promote what we have. Gold standard grain is what we have. Practically, no one knows about it. Practically, no female is prepared to use it. Unless it's at the right price. Third. Third point will be adding value. Invest in adding value. The likes of Chagas, UCD have done a lot of research. The likes of Beans, for example. The milling industry. Iceed rape industry. Invest beyond the research. We need companies or whoever to get on board now and start investing in Irish product. Unfortunately, 80%, 70% or 80% of our grain goes straight into a feed heap. You're competing with imported by-product that already has added value to it. Thank you, Chair. Very quickly, Chair, because we're, in a sense, planning the same for all. The implementation of the food vision report, that contains most of what everybody here is asking anyway. Recognition of Irish grain, wherever it is, in a food or feed chain, critical. And the third one, I think, is even more important, longer term. And that is to bring the current on-pass into the European agenda. Because if not, we're going to be keeping coming, looking for Band-Aid plasters. We need fundamental reform. Thank you, Mr Durant.