401. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the proposed tillage incentive scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39734/24]

The Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) was a temporary support measure which was introduced in response to the aggression in the Ukraine in 2022 and operated under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF).

The objectives of the measure were to reduce the dependency on imported feed material.

The measure provided financial compensation to farmers who increased their eligible tillage area in 2022 and or 2023 through converting eligible pasture lands to tillage.

The measure provided a maintenance payment in the year following conversion where the overall tillage area of the holding was maintained.

In 2024 payments will issue to those who maintained their tillage area but there is no payment for conversion of new lands.