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Budget 2022

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Ceisteanna (57)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

57. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no new support measures provided to suckler beef farmers in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50914/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I'm pleased to have secured over €1.8 billion of funding in Budget 2020 for the overall sector. This is in addition to almost €1.2 billion in EU funded direct payments received annually to support farm incomes and reward good agricultural and environmental practices.

Farmers can have confidence that this budget protects farm family income and supports action to improve safety and sustainability on farms.  I have succeeded in maintaining all of the crucial farm schemes and the budget provision will also allow us to provide additional funding for a number of policy priorities.  I am committed to supporting our suckler and sheep sectors now and into the future.

More than €100 million  will be provided in targeted supports for the beef and sheep sectors including BDGP, BEEP-S, Sheep Welfare Scheme and Dairy Calf Programme

Other measures relevant to the livestock sectors include: 

- €7 m for Enterprise Ireland capital investment schemes, to support the meat and dairy sector to invest  in greater product and market diversification 

- €4m for the establishment of the Office of the Food Ombudsman

- €80m for on farm investments through TAMS including specific supports for solar energy  installation 

- A tax package that protects the stamp duty relief for young, trained farmers, and stock relief.  

- An additional €2m to support farm safety initiatives

Within the 2022 provision some €872 million  allows key Rural Development Programme  and forestry supports to remain available through the transitional period between the two CAP programmes.  This provides the budget to extend, or rollover, existing RDP schemes from 2021, including the one listed by the Deputy -  ANC at €250m, and also the BDGP and Sheep Welfare Scheme which I have already referenced.  These schemes are vital income supports for farmers and provide a measurable public good.

I have worked closely with my colleague Minister McGrath to finalise a financial package for the new CAP that will support the agri -food sector and rural communities in the period from 2023 to 2028. 

In a time of transition, farmers can have confidence that this budget protects farm family income and supports action to improve safety and sustainability on farms.

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