Creed outlines details of new suckler scheme
DETAILS of the new €20 million Budget scheme for a new pilot scheme for suckler farmers were announced in the Dáil by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marne, Michael Creed.
The scheme, he said, is specifically aimed at further improving the carbon efficiency of beef production.
“The scheme will target the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves, measuring the live weight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow’s live weight,” he said.
“The data will be used to target improvements on a herd basis by giving the farmer detailed feedback on the performance of individual animals. The data collected will also be a valuable addition to Ireland’s impressive database on cattle genomics. Details of the scheme will be announced in due course.”
He said he was also confident that suckler farmers will be significant beneficiaries of the additional €23 million in funding announced for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme.
“The Beef Data and Genomics Programme, BDGP, is currently the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme, RDP,” he said. “This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit of the herd.”
“My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion Rural Development Programme 2014-2020,” he added.
“In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler and sheep farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and knowledge transfer groups.
Suckler farmers also benefit from the basic payment scheme and greening payments under CAP Pillar I.” VAT rate for rural areas and Dublin because of the legal implications.
“It is ironic that the Government can hide behind the legislation stipulating we cannot have separate tax arrangements for rural areas and Dublin,” he added.
Sinn Féin Deputy Pat Buckley accused Fianna Fáil Members of speaking out of both sides of their mouths. “They are whingeing and playing the violin today,” he said. “They are hurlers on the ditch. I call on them to have the balls to oppose this, if they have the balls.”
Labour Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Government to look at this item again in the Finance Bill. “It is clear there will be unintended consequences as a result of the proposed implementation of this measure,” he said. “We have been contacted by many people from all the sectors that have been discussed, ranging from restaurants to barber shops to hairdressing salons.”
The Dáil passed the measure by 64 votes to 36.