Charlie McConalogue
Question:239. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 12 December 2017, when a reply will issue. [2653/18]
View answerThursday, 18 January 2018
Questions (239)
Written answers
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which will provide Irish beef farmers with some €300 million of funding over the lifetime of the current RDP.
The information sought by the Deputy, further to parliamentary question number 375 of 12 December 2017, is as follows:
Each €5 increase on the first 10 animals would cost €1,119,605
Each €5 increase on the first 15 animals would cost €1,529,240
Each €5 increase on the first 20 animals would cost €1,833,230
Each €5 increase on the first 25 animals would cost €2,053,070
Each €5 increase on the first 30 animals would cost €2,212,160.
Any change to the scheme would be very difficult in the context of an innovative scheme which has undergone an approval process by the European Commission. Payments to farmers under the BDGP are made on the basis of costs incurred or income foregone, any change to payment rates would require farmers to undertake additional actions to justify any increased payment.
The BDGP as currently configured represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and rural development measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. I believe that it is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future.
Questions Nos. 240 to 242, inclusive, withdrawn.