Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2018
216. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take in the current and future CAP to achieve a €200 payment per suckler cow (details supplied). [10815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures available under the RDP Pillar 2 that permits a scheme to be operationalised for a €200 payment per suckler cow. [10816/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is technically possible to operationalise an Exchequer funded scheme such as the 2008 to 2012 suckler welfare scheme. [10817/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 to 218, inclusive, together.
I am a strong advocate of supporting a vibrant and productive national suckler herd. The Beef Data and Genetics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some 300 million euro in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period.
This scheme, which was introduced in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 EU Regulation 1305/2013, is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd. So far under this programme approximately 135 million euro has been paid out to farmers and this Government will continue to support this programme through the lifetime of the current RDP.
In relation to existing funding, under Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) my Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the 4 billion euro Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmer also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
In relation to any potential funding over and above existing supports to farmers under the current CAP, I again stress:
There are no surplus funds available within the RDP above and beyond the funding already allocated, which has been committed to existing schemes within the RDP. Therefore, any additional supports under the RDP would require cuts to other RDP schemes and /or additional exchequer funding. RDP schemes, including the existing BDGP are based on costs incurred and income foregone by participants. Every scheme, or scheme adjustment, under the RDP must be justified and approved by the European Commission on the basis of additional actions and income foregone by farmers.
Any allocation of funding under Pillar I of the CAP for a coupled payment would in principle require a linear reduction to all existing farmers Basic Payment Scheme payments for redistribution.
I am not of the view that taking already committed money from farmers under the CAP is an appropriate means by which to support suckler farmers.
In regard to the Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds which was operated between 2008 and 2012, its objectives were to improve breeding by recording animal events data and make better use of genetic evaluation. It also aimed to improve husbandry and weaning to reduce illness and mortality. The scheme was developed to provide training under Article 15 Provision of technical support in the Agriculture Sector of Commission Regulation 1857/2006 for participants of the Suckler Welfare Scheme. The Scheme was successful in meeting its objectives.
Any attempt to introduce a similar exchequer funded scheme which has the aim of improving the genetic merit and the welfare of the suckler herd would require approval by the European Commission under State Aid regulations and would need to comply with our obligations under WTO rules. The fact that a scheme, the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP), with similar aims already exists would be a complicating factor in seeking State Aid approval.
The introduction of such an additional scheme funded directly from exchequer funds, would in any event not be possible under the current budgetary resources available to my Department. I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers is the most appropriate way to support the continued development of the sector which according to the Teagasc National Farm survey for 2016 received support equivalent to approximately 500 euro per suckler cow.
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 post 2020. However my strong view is that any 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.
Finally I wish to encourage stakeholders within the industry to contribute to the public consultation (closing date 23rd March) which will be an important part of the framing of the future CAP in Ireland.
