Charlie McConalogue
Question:110. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the beef data genomics scheme. [23165/19]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2019
110. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the beef data genomics scheme. [23165/19]
View answerMy Department is examining all appropriate measures to support the different agri-food sectors, including the beef sector in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. As the Deputy will be aware, I have committed to reviewing the BDGP as part of this exercise.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post-2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP.
My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system. It is my view that existing RDP supports, including the BDGP, are delivering this for farmers.
We are now approaching the final year of the BDGP scheme under the current RDP and the lessons learnt from the current programme will inform our assessment of the most appropriate supports for the suckler sector going forward.