Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
930. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of measures being taken to assist farmers affected by the ongoing beef crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2869/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has provided significant financial support to the beef sector over the past number of years through national funding and the rural development programme.
In Budget 2020, I have provided almost €85 million in targeted schemes to support sustainable beef farming. This includes almost €45 million for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and a further €40 million for targeted supports within the beef sector for suckler farmers and for farmers involved in dairy beef production. Consultations with stakeholders on the use of the €40 million in additional funding have taken place and details of how these supports will be targeted will be made available as soon as possible.
Last year, I established the Beef Taskforce to provide the leadership to develop a sustainable pathway for the future of the beef sector in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The Taskforce will provide a robust implementation structure for commitments entered into in the Beef Talks Agreement of 15th September 2019, with timelines and stakeholder engagement. The Beef Taskforce offers a suitable platform for strategic engagement with all the key stakeholders, including retailers and regulatory authorities.
There is a specific page on my Department's website dedicated to the Beef Taskforce at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/beef/beeftaskforce/ . This webpage contains the agreement reached on 15 September, the Terms of Reference for the Taskforce and updates on actions arising out of the agreement to date.
