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Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Ceisteanna (49)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

49. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the level of direct support for the suckler cow herd to €200 per cow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6667/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am acutely aware of the vital importance of the suckler sector to Ireland's rural economy and the wider agri-food industry.  My Department provides a range of income and investment supports to suckler farmers, including direct payments and existing grant schemes such as BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS, as well as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP). Indeed analysis of Teagasc National Farm Survey data shows that current direct payments to suckler farmers provide support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow.

The BDGP is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, and provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period.  So far under this programme approximately €125 million has been paid out to farmers, and I will continue to support this programme through the lifetime of the current RDP. In addition to improving the environmental footprint of the national suckler herd, the programme will, through increasing the genetic merit of the national suckler herd, make a positive contribution to productivity and efficiency at farm level.

Ireland strongly supported the greater market orientation of the CAP over recent reforms, including by decoupling of payments from production, because allowing farmers freedom to respond to market signals is vital for the sustainable development of the sector, as set out in the Food Wise 2025 strategy.

As the Deputy is aware, any proposal for a coupled payment for suckler cows under Pillar I of the CAP would necessitate a linear cut across the Basic Payment Scheme for all farmers.

In terms of providing additional supports under Pillar II, which provides for Ireland’s RDP, there is no surplus funding above and beyond the funding already allocated to the RDP, which has been committed to existing schemes within the current programme.

In the context of the post-2020 CAP, we have to examine the most effective way of supporting the sector, while at the same time being aware of the future direction of the CAP in terms of both public good and environmental benefits. We need to explore further ways in which we can improve both economic and environmental efficiency, while at the same time respecting the constraints of WTO and State Aid rules in terms of farm supports.

The future CAP will play a key role in the sustainable development of the sector, and I would urge people to participate in the public consultative meetings on the CAP post 2020 currently taking place around the country.

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