IFA react to reports of compulsory crop growing

IFA President Tim Cullinan said that there has been no discussion with farmers regarding suggestions they may be required to grow crops in 2022.

“We are in very challenging times and farmers will certainly play our part in any national or European effort,” he said.

“However, it is far from certain that asking all farmers to plant crops is the best use of the resources that are likely to be available to us,” he said.

“The biggest issue facing farmers is the rocketing cost and availability of inputs. This is where the Government needs to focus their efforts, as well as looking at some of their own regulations,” he said.

The IFA has been invited to a meeting with Minister McConalogue this evening (Tuesday) after a scheduled Cabinet meeting.

“It would be very unwise of the Government to make any decisions on this before engaging fully with farmers,” he said.

“Irish farming is very different than it was in the 1940s. What was done then may not be the solution today,” he said.

In the Dáil today (Tuesday) Taoiseach Micheál Martin said measures must be taken to offset disruptions in grain supplies due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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