Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
603. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the development of Kerry Cattle herds in Ireland; the estimated numbers of such in each of the years 2020 to 2024; what financial supports exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5893/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Kerry Cattle is one of our oldest native breeds with cows bred predominantly for milk production. The Kerry Cattle was once the dominant breed in Ireland, with a reputation for durability in the past farming landscape while producing quality milk. It is believed to be one of the oldest breeds in Europe. However, it is now a breed considered to be seriously at risk, as farmers have moved to alternative breeds for economic reasons.
Kerry cattle are designated by my Department as a native rare breed and are the only native rare breed of cattle linked to a specific geographic location.
The Kerry herdbook was first established by the RDS in the 1880s before being taken over by The Kerry Cattle Society in 2001. This Society is a recognised breed society by my Department and is approved to maintain a breeding programme for the breed in accordance with EU Animal Breeding Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012).
In 1982, the Department first introduced a scheme of payments for maintaining purebred Kerry cattle. The reasons for its introduction were as follows:
• The conservation of genetic resources with the breed which is critically endangered
• The cultural cost to Society of the breed becoming extinct.
• The overall cost of the programme to save the breed, in the context of cultural and the preservation of genetic resources, was considered effective use of exchequer funds.
My Department has continued with this measure to support and encourage breeders of Kerry cattle. The objective of the current scheme is to encourage the maintenance of a number of separate herds of Kerry Cattle in Ireland and the creation and maintenance of a sufficient reserve of purebred breeding stock. The amount paid in the scheme in 2023 and 2024 was €120 per eligible calf. Details of this scheme is as follows:
|
Year |
No. of farmers paid |
No. of calves paid on |
Average Herd Size |
Grant Amount |
Amount paid |
|
2020 |
30 |
215 |
7 |
€120.00 |
€25,800.00 |
|
2021 |
29 |
196 |
7 |
€120.00 |
€23,520.00 |
|
2022 |
31 |
184 |
6 |
€120.00 |
€21,600.00 |
|
2023 |
26 |
156 |
6 |
€120.00 |
€21,960.00 |
|
2024 |
29 |
222 |
7 |
€120.00 |
€24,360.00 |
The Kerry Cow and its breeders also benefit from other Department schemes including:
• The ACRES programme includes the Kerry Cow as a breed in the ‘Rare Breed’ options which gives applicants Tier 1 priority entry. Payment is €200 per LU/yr to a max of 20 LU. Participants are only required that their breeding females produce at least 1 registered offspring before the end of the 5 year contract. A bonus of €75 is to be paid for additional progeny registered.
• The Rare Breed Conservation Grant is available to breed societies (currently max €1,000 annually) to assist them in the preservation and in the operation of the respective rare breed breeding book.
Officials of my Department have met with the Kerry Cattle Society to explore opportunities for assisting the breed.
