Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
1045. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the 30-month rule and the four-movement rule for beef farmers and in particular the fact that the first of the four-movement rule is the birth of the calf; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8872/21]
View answerThere is no rule limiting the age of cattle or the number of movements for beef production. Such specifications are entirely a commercial matter and are not conditions imposed by my Department. However, in-spec bonus payments are made in respect of cattle which meet certain market specifications demanded by retail customers. The 30-month age, four movement specification and 60-day residency to which you refer are all examples of this.
It should be noted however that certain third countries have imposed a 30 month age limit in respect of beef imports, and this will be specified in the veterinary health certificate which will accompany beef exports to those countries.
As regards the numbers of movements, birth registrations are not classified on the Department's AIM system as a movement. For example, when an animal moves from its herd of origin to another farm, it enters its second residency, but has only made one movement.
In September 2019, consensus was reached between stakeholders on the Irish Beef Sector Agreement. Two elements of this relate to the specifications cited:
- the introduction of a new bonus of 8c/kg for steers and heifers aged between 30 to 36 months, which meet all non-age related existing in-spec criteria, and which up to now have not received any bonus;
- an independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector.
The details of this agreement are publicly available on my Department’s website.
Grant Thornton was successful in tendering for the transparency studies including the review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused some initial delays to progress on these studies. This work is expected to be concluded soon.
