Macra Calls on Government to Reinvest Unspent Farmer Supports to Protect Food Production

Macra has called on Government to ensure that unspent funding previously committed to supporting farmers through the fuel crisis remains within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is immediately redirected towards the mounting challenges now facing the sector. 
The organisation said Irish farmers are once again facing exceptional financial pressures, with soaring fertiliser costs, an emerging fodder crisis following a prolonged period of hot, dry weather and increased demand on existing support schemes. Macra warned that these challenges cannot be addressed without adequate financial backing from Government. 
Macra National President Josephine O'Neill highlighted, "Farmers are under increasing pressure from multiple fronts, with soaring input costs and prolonged dry weather placing enormous strain on farm businesses, yet funding already identified for the sector is sitting unused. Government must act quickly by keeping this money within the Department of Agriculture and directing it towards the issues that are having the greatest impact on farm families today. This is about responding to current realities and ensuring farmers have the support they need to continue producing food sustainably." 
The organisation welcomed the European Commission's recently announced fertiliser support package, under which Ireland is expected to receive approximately €15.3 million. Macra is urging Government to provide the maximum national co-funding permitted under the scheme, increasing the total support package available to almost €46 million. 
Macra said any fertiliser support must be paid directly to farmers and targeted towards those sectors most exposed to rising input costs and market disruption, ensuring that the funding delivers meaningful assistance where it is needed most. 
The organisation also welcomed the Department's commitment to honour all valid applications under the 2026 Straw Incorporation Measure, despite claims exceeding the scheme's original €10 million budget. Macra said the decision recognises the importance of supporting sustainable farming practices and tillage production but stressed that the additional funding required must not come at the expense of other essential agricultural supports. 
With concerns also mounting over winter fodder supplies following one of the driest summers in recent years, Macra said Government must act now rather than waiting until shortages become critical. 
"The warning signs are already there. Many farmers have seen grass growth slow significantly over recent months and winter fodder stocks are under real pressure, with many farmers now forced to feed silage already. Waiting until shortages emerge will only increase costs and uncertainty. We need to plan ahead and ensure that practical supports are available if challenges continue to escalate." 
Macra believes the unspent funding originally allocated to support farmers through the fuel crisis presents Government with an opportunity to respond proactively to the challenges now facing agriculture. 
The organisation said this funding should remain within the Department of Agriculture and be used to co-fund the EU fertiliser support package, bridge the additional funding required for the Straw Incorporation Measure and, if required, establish a targeted fodder support scheme to assist livestock farmers through the winter months. 
“The solutions are there. Government can maximise the EU fertiliser package, protect existing schemes such as the Straw Incorporation Measure and prepare contingency support for fodder if it becomes necessary. The key is ensuring that existing agricultural funding stays within the sector and is used where it will make the greatest difference, without delay” 
Macra warned that Irish agriculture continues to face unprecedented uncertainty, with rising input costs, volatile commodity markets, ongoing CAP negotiations and increasing climate-related challenges all placing pressure on farm viability. 
Concluding, Macra called on Government to act quickly to provide certainty to farmers ahead of the autumn planting season and winter housing period. 
"Farmers cannot plan on uncertainty. They need certainty, they need support, and they need it now. The resources are available. Government's job is to make sure they reach the farmers who need them before today's pressures become tomorrow's crisis."