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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1969

Vol. 239 No. 2

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Subsidy.

14.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will have the £8 beef subsidy paid for the first two cows on application as this will help small farmers in remote areas.

The object of the Beef Cattle Incentive Scheme is twofold: (1) to act as a counter attraction to commercial milk production and (2) to encourage an expansion in the output of good quality beef cattle. The man with one or two cows generally maintains this small herd to provide milk for his household and cannot be said to be operating a genuine beef enterprise. Furthermore, if the first two cows were eligible for grant, a large number of persons, not engaged in farming at all, but maintaining a cow or two, would be drawing these grants.

Also I should say it is estimated that it would cost an additional £1.6 million to extend the scheme to cover the first two cows.

For these reasons, I do not intend to amend the scheme on the lines proposed by the Deputy, but I will have all aspects of the scheme examined at the end of its first year of operation.

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