As the Deputy will be aware, the price of beef, as with any commodity, is a commercial matter. Neither I nor the Department has any role in the determination of commodity prices
However, I am, acutely aware of the pressures being faced across the agri-food sector due to the increase in input costs. Since the invasion of Ukraine, I have taken a proactive approach to dealing with the massive challenges arising for the agri-food and fisheries sector, including providing €91 million in exceptional supports for the sector.
Central to this is the €56m Fodder Support Scheme which pays farmers up to €1,000 for saving hay and silage. The scheme will be in place for the 2023 fodder-making season too.
More generally for the beef sector, my Department provides a range of financial aids to support beef farm incomes and to support economic and environmental efficiency.
Under the new €10 billion CAP strategic plan, beef farmers can avail of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) with available funding of €260 million and enhanced support for early-stage producer organisations which provides advisory and administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, as well as supporting improved competitiveness. I have also secured budgetary provision for a €28 million exchequer funded beef welfare scheme in 2023 and €5 million for a continuation of the dairy beef calf scheme.
I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and I am actively engaging with the EU Commission, across Government and with stakeholders as this situation unfolds. I have taken a proactive approach, through the various measures I have announced since this crisis started, to support our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.