Mr. Brendan Joyce:

The issue of Brexit has been brought up during this discussion. It is very simple: Brexit will hurt the suckler cow farmer.

Deputy Fitzmaurice asked for our views on the issue of keeping cattle in sheds. Having large numbers of cattle in feedlots hurts suckler cow farmers and ultimately it the members we represent. It gives control back to the processor in timing the run-out of cattle.

The expansion of the dairy sector has occurred where farmers have seen an opportunity to expand and I do not blame them for doing so. That has had an unintended consequence for suckler farmers. It has put more calves into that system and, as a result, unfortunately, as we have seen from the kill figures, the number has increased from 27,000 up to 37,000, and that will get worse. I am not engaging in a blame game because of the dairy expansion. Farmers saw an opportunity to expand and they went for it. We are here today to deal with the fall-out from that and, for our members, that hurts, of that there is no question. It is increasing the pressure on feedlots and on deals being done to rear those calves through the system. There is one way to deal with that, namely, to differentiate between the grass-based suckler high-level product that we are producing and the dairy-fed calf. There is no doubt there is room to market that on a higher level. We call on the committee to push that message forward.

With respect to the schemes, we have spoken about the beef data and genomics scheme. The schemes have predominantly not worked for the smaller suckler producer in the west. We we consider the number participating in the beef scheme - approximately 18,000 out of 66,000 farmers and very often those with the higher numbers of suckler cows - tells its own story. In the new Common Agricultural Policy, we must have a measure similar to the suckler welfare scheme, which brought real benefit, and it must be properly funded.

Given the delay in the new Common Agricultural Programme, an interim measure must be put in place, which is a proposal we have put forward today. There is space for the Minister and the Department to review the current rural development programme. There is a precedent and space within the system to put an additional GLAS measure in place under the GLAS Plus measure to bring forward a payment that would be targeted, and have a front-loaded option on the first number of cows, at suckler farmers who are under real pressure and are waiting on a clear message from this committee, the Department and the Minister.