Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013
147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support the 60,000 suckler farmers under the common agricultural policy or through other schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6962/13]
View answerWith particular regard to Suckler Farmers I have made funding of €10 million available in 2013 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme to continue to make aid payments on calves born in 2012, and earlier years when applicable. In excess of €150 million has been paid to participants in the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme since its inception.
In addition, I have allocated €10 million in 2013, financed from unspent Single Farm Payment Funds for a new support programme for suckler beef farmers to participate in a new Beef Data Programme. This programme will assist farmers in improving the genetic quality of Irish cattle and will maintain the data flow into ICBF in order to build further knowledge and more rapid progress in breeding and ultimately in profitability for farmers. By way of further support to the beef sector, I announced that the Beef Technology Adoption Programme will be retained in 2013. This Programme is built on the lessons of the Dairy Efficiency Programme and provides a €5 million financial stimulus to encourage, through the medium of professionally facilitated discussion groups, and a task oriented approach, the adoption of a more focussed commercial approach to beef farming.
In total, therefore, I have made provision for the payment aid amounting to €25 million to the beef sector in 2013 which speaks for itself in terms of this Government’s commitment to the sector. It is evident, therefore, that, in the context of the existing regime, considerable support has and continues to be made available for the sector. With discussions ongoing at EU level on the shape of the future regime overall, it is too early to make specific comment in relation to any particular sector; however, I fully recognise its importance in the context of the ambitious targets set for the beef sector in coming years.
