Tillage Industry Ireland (TII) has asked for over €100m for the sector in its pre-budget submission which has been sent to relevant Government representatives.

It has also asked that “all relevant support payments be paid in the relevant year to aid both cashflow and tax planning”. The submission outlines how 2026 will be another challenging year for the sector due to higher costs, particularly fuel and fertiliser, weaker market prices and declining CAP support payments.

This follows recent years of “very low returns” and “reduced support levels due to the implementation of the CRISS and convergence elements of the CAP”. As a result, the group asks for €105.5m.

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Importantly, TII also has an ask with no funding request and that is to promote low-carbon land uses such as tillage in Government policy.

The submission calls for funding of €70m for the tillage expansion and sustainability scheme, outlined in the Food Vision for Tillage report.

Co-funding of the EU fertiliser supports for all sectors has been requested to a level of €30m “to help encourage national production”.

The group asked that the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) “be fully funded to support all of the area submitted on farms in 2026 and 2027 as this acts as an important support measure for the sector” (see more on page 8).

TII asked for: “The continued provision of the many support services provided by the DAFM – variety evaluation, seed certification, seed testing, etc. These are essential services for the proper operation of the sector.”

Continuing its focus on Irish grain the industry body has requested funding for the Department to regularly assess native grain stocks to improve how the native grain market functions.

The group has requested tax relief on land leasing arrangements to be targeted towards low carbon footprint farming systems, as verified by AgNav.