Fuel Support Scheme is Recognition of Cost Pressures for Specialist Horticulture Growers

IFA Horticulture Chair Mark Walsh said the fuel support scheme announced yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is recognition of the severe energy cost pressures facing the specialist horticulture sector.

Three weeks ago, IFA representatives met senior officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and made a detailed submission outlining the impact rising energy costs are having across the sector since the conflict in the Middle East.

The IFA submission highlighted how specialist horticulture is uniquely exposed to energy price shocks due to its reliance on heating and energy-intensive production systems, particularly in protected crops and mushroom production.

“We made it very clear to the Department that growers are under significant financial pressure from rising fuel and heating costs. Protected crop growers and mushroom producers have no way to reduce energy usage during active production periods, which means these cost increases have an immediate impact on viability.”

Yesterday, Minister Heydon confirmed that a €2m fuel support scheme for the specialist horticulture sector will open next week as part of the Government’s wider fuel support package.

“With many horticulture producers having closed in the horticulture sector in recent years, it’s vital that Government supports the horticulture sector where possible for food security, fresh & healthy produce rural jobs and to help keep the remaining Irish producers in business.”

“The announcement is acknowledgement of the pressures facing the sector, and it is important now that the scheme opens quickly; that the application process is straightforward; and that payments issue without delay,” he said.

Mark Walsh said the IFA will continue to engage with the Department to ensure growers receive practical support as cost pressures impact across the sector.