Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I appreciate that the Government and the Department are having to operate under difficult financial constraints. The Minister will accept that beef production is a marginal enterprise. It is a part-time enterprise for many people. Will the Minister consider revising the terms of the suckler cow welfare scheme so that an €80 level of payment can be guaranteed to all farmers for their first 20, 25 or 30 suckler cows? That would ensure that the maximum benefit would accrue to smaller producers, in particular. The level of payment under the scheme could be tapered downwards for applications that are made in respect of greater numbers of animals. The needs of smaller producers should be prioritised because their capacity to retain an income from farming depends on whether they can draw the maximum amount from this scheme.

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