Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1902. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing the sheep welfare scheme by €5 per ewe as an incentive to farmers to use electronic tagging of sheep. [32922/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sheep Welfare Scheme is part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme. It should be noted that the rate paid per ewe is based on the cost incurred and income foregone by the farmer in carrying out the actions chosen under the scheme so that if the rate per ewe is to be increased then the actions will also have to increase. Any increase in the payment rate would require a formal amendment of Ireland's Rural Development Programme to change the costings and actions agreed under the Scheme. This amendment would have to be approved by the EU Commission.
In announcing my decision to extend EID to all sheep on 2 May, I further announced my intention to introduce a once-off support measure to assist farmers in their first purchase of EID tags, where up to a maximum of €50 will be paid to each registered keeper, based on the number of electronic tags purchased. Further details on this measure will be announced in due course.
