Patricia Ryan
Question:1923. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a substantial beef finisher scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20787/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 April 2022
Questions (1923)
Written answers
The nature of all markets, particularly in export dependent sectors such as Irish beef, is that the price for inputs and outputs will fluctuate. I am acutely aware of the potential pressures being faced by many sectors across the agriculture industry due to the increase in input costs. The Department continuously monitors the market situation for beef and other agri-food commodities, with a view to responding to crisis situations where possible.
I raised concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on agri-food supply chains at the extraordinary informal meeting of European Union Agriculture Ministers held on 2nd March and at the AgriFish Council on 21st March. At these meetings I underlined the need to closely monitor supply chains to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market, and to be ready to consider any measures that may help to alleviate the difficulties caused.
The Commission has already announced a number of support measures, including the introduction of private storage aid for the pigmeat sector, a new exceptional aid support package making available a fund of €500 million for affected sectors, increased payment advances in 2022 and a new temporary State Aid framework.
More specifically for the beef sector, the Department provides a range of financial aids to support beef farm incomes and to support economic and environmental efficiency. The core support for the beef sector under the outgoing RDP is the €300 Million Beef Data and Genomics Programme. In addition to this support, since 2020, over €260 million of extra supports were made available specifically to the beef sector. These supports are additional to the more general supports that beef farmers can avail of under the current RDP including ANCs.
As the Deputy will be aware, the proposal for the beef sector in Ireland's new CAP strategic plan is to continue to provide support to farmers by building on the efficiency gains of the BDGP and the BEEP-S measures through the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme. I remain committed to supporting the economic and environmental sustainability of the suckler and beef sector.