Tillage Sector: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2025-10-15
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Gillian Toole (IND), Meath East

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Cheann Comhairle, an Aire agus an Aire Stáit - an triúr agaibh. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for this opportunity. I would also like to acknowledge the information and support given to me by Meath IFA and the Irish Grain Growers group who have presented to the committee.
Rather than repeat the statistics that have been so forthcoming from all parties and none today, as we are all very much aware of the shrinkage, the reduction in acreage and the numbers of farmers in the tillage community, I will focus my comments on the health impacts. "Let food be thy medicine," as Hippocrates said. We are what we eat and, indeed, what we eat eats. If we take the Irish grain, it comprises of complex carbohydrates, protein, fibre, zinc, iron and magnesium. They are super foods in their entity and whether people are carnivores, herbivores, vegan or vegetarian, Irish grain is something that underpins all parts of the diet and is highly nutritious. For that reason, while the supports are very welcome and acknowledged, if we take into consideration that highly important contribution to the health and well-being of every individual in this country, never mind those who benefit from our exports, and the vagaries of the weather, while this year's budget announcement is most welcome, there is a strong case for bringing forward a multi-annual package because the variables are too high in this instance.
One of these variables is the importation of grains from other jurisdictions that do not meet the same criteria as our product must within the EU. The pitch has to be levelled. If we take, for example, Irish whiskey and the ingredient not containing an Irish grain, let us consider wine from the Chianti region but the grapes coming from Chile.
I am not displaying a particular lifestyle trend but, following on, another example is champagne made with grapes from New Zealand and not from the Champagne region. To go back to our porcine friends, another example is Parma ham where the ham is from South America or any other jurisdiction. This is essentially what we are at. We need to put the jersey on very quickly. It is fair to say the asks are very concise. We want clear food labelling so that consumers can make an informed choice and know they are getting a native product, which is almost carbon neutral or carbon zero, and see how it compares.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-10-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:13+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-10-15