Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1198. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to implement a suckler cow scheme of €200 per cow in view of the apparent decline in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1137/18]
View answerI am keenly aware of the importance of the suckler sector to Ireland's rural economy and the wider agri-food industry.
My Department provides a number of supports to the suckler herd. A range of direct payments and grant schemes provide vital income and investment support to the suckler sector, including BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS.
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which will provide Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme period. In response to significant demand, last year I reopened the BDGP programme for new entrants, reflecting the success of this programme, which targets both the environmental footprint and the profitability of the suckler herd through improving the genetic merit in participating herds. Currently there are approximately 25,000 herds covered between the two schemes.
The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland’s rural economy and the provision of support for the suckler sector is critically important. The range of supports as currently configured represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and rural development measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. Considering the supports that already exist, I do not have plans to introduce any additional schemes to support the suckler herd, including the proposed scheme mentioned by the Deputy.
