Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, has secured an additional €170 million in Budget 2026, bringing his Department’s overall allocation to €2.3 billion, a 9% year-on-year increase. The package includes €335 million in capital investment and €1.967 billion in current expenditure, aimed at strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and profitability of Ireland’s agri-food, fisheries and forestry sectors.
“This Budget provides very significant supports for farmers, fishers and foresters,” Minister Heydon said, outlining key funding priorities including bovine TB eradication, water quality improvement, and generational renewal in farming.
Key Sectoral Allocations and Measures
Bovine TB Eradication
The budget for the TB programme rises to €157 million, including €85 million in new funding. The investment will underpin a revamped TB Action Plan focused on targeted testing, wildlife control, and biosecurity improvements.
Water Quality and Nitrates
With Ireland’s nitrates derogation under pressure, Budget 2026 renews the Accelerated Capital Allowance for slurry storage, extended to four years. Funding continues for Teagasc’s catchments programme, the ASSAP advisory service, and the €60 million “Farming for Water” EIP initiative.
TAMS and Capital Investment
€88 million is allocated to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), addressing infrastructure upgrades, slurry storage, and farm modernisation—critical in supporting environmental targets and competitiveness.
Environmental Schemes – ACRES and Organics
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) receives €280 million, supporting 54,000 farmers engaged in biodiversity and climate actions. Separately, €58.6 million is allocated to organics, facilitating continued scheme support and a targeted reopening for tillage farmers.
Tillage and Livestock Supports
At least €50 million is earmarked for the tillage sector via protein aid, straw incorporation and a tillage support scheme. Livestock schemes for beef, sheep and suckler farmers retain a €131 million allocation, alongside continued funding for the National Genotyping Programme.
Generational Renewal and Tax Measures
Budget 2026 introduces a suite of agri-taxation measures to encourage farm succession and support young farmers. These include:
- Extension of Agricultural Relief (valued at €230m annually)
- Extension of 100% Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief (€20m annually)
- Four-year extensions to Farm Restructuring and Consolidation Reliefs
An implementation team within the Department will begin work on the broader recommendations of the Commission on Generational Renewal, whose report was recently submitted.
Research, Forestry, Fisheries and Knowledge Transfer
- Research and Development: €19.3 million will drive innovation across agriculture, food and the bioeconomy.
- Fishing and Seafood: €157.7 million will fund harbour development, marine agency services, and seafood sector supports.
- Forestry: A €93 million allocation—up 5.7%—targets afforestation goals (3,000ha in 2026) and addresses storm damage and ash dieback recovery.
- Knowledge Transfer: €8.25 million will fund farmer advisory groups and best practice initiatives aligned with the CAP Strategic Plan.
Outlook
Minister Heydon described Budget 2026 as “a robust contribution to the future development and resilience” of Ireland’s rural economy.
“This is the first of five Budgets this Government will deliver. We will not achieve everything in one Budget, but this marks an important first step to sustain rural Ireland and help it thrive,” he concluded.
WFP-Picture-Martin-Heydon-Irl-Mnstr-for-Agric-and-WFP-Director-Cindy-Mccain-by-Rein-Skullerud
