Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
77. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his Department's efforts to support the horticulture sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17842/24]
View answerThe horticulture industry makes a valuable contribution to the Irish economy. Many citizens depend on the sector for their livelihoods and for access to fresh local quality produce and plants.
My Department continues to support the horticulture sector in Ireland with a range of initiatives.
The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector grant aids capital investments in specialised plant and equipment in the horticulture sector. The Scheme provided significant support to growers in 2023 and I secured a budget of €10 million for the Scheme in 2024.
Horticulture growers are also eligible for supports under the Cap Strategic Plan. The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables provides an invaluable support to the horticulture sector. In 2023 over €6 million was paid to horticulture producers under this scheme. Growers are also eligible to apply for supports under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme, the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme, the Organic Farming Scheme and the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme.
In response to the impact of the UK's decision to leave the EU, a total fund of €9.1 million was made available through Brexit Adjustment Reserve related schemes for the horticulture sector in 2023.
Recognising the challenges faced by the horticulture sector in 2023, I secured €2.382 million in funding under the EU Agricultural Reserve. The Horticulture Crisis Fund was a support measure that provided a once off payment in January 2024 to the sub-sectors most at risk due to losses incurred as a result of a combination of high input prices, low output prices and reduced yield last year.
I am very mindful of the impact of the prolonged exceptional weather conditions on the horticultural sector. To give confidence to horticulture farmers to plant crops this year and to give them confidence in the future of their industry, I recently announced that I would work to deliver a €100/ha payment for every farmer that puts seed in the soil for the harvest year 2024. My Department is considering the next steps, including the State Aid and other approvals and the identification of appropriate funding. I am committed to our horticulture sector and despite the constraints of my existing budget, I will work to deliver this support for these farmers.
In June 2023, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. This stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027.
