Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
873. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his rationale for requiring farmers applying for the new beef suckler scheme 2023 to be Bord Bia quality-assured given that the Bord Bia audit is another cross-compliance check for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51565/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, supporting our suckler and beef farmers is a key priority of mine as Minister.
The carbon footprint measurement is both an eligibility requirement and an integral element of the proposed Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme under the new CAP.
In designing the scheme, in consultation with farming stakeholders, the Department gave detailed consideration to all aspects of the scheme design including potential mechanisms for delivery of the carbon foot-printing requirement. I am satisfied that the chosen scheme design is the most appropriate.
A core element of the SBLAS is a sustainability audit which features a carbon footprint measurement. The primary objective of the carbon footprint measurement is to enable the quantification of all of the environmentally sustainable activity carried out by Irish farmers.
The SBLAS sustainability audit, including the Carbon Footprint measurement, is developed on an internationally verified quality assurance model. There is no direct cost to the farmer for participation in the SBLAS, as the costs of the audits are funded by the Department.
