Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I am interested in the Minister's observations on two aspects of the current proposal for the next phase of the Common Agricultural Policy. First, the indications are that suckler cow herd numbers in the country are on a downward trend, which may well have to do with the economics of rearing calves in this manner. There are consequences if that decline were to continue in that the supply lines for the beef industry would be affected in a relatively short period. The proposals are not very compatible with the promotion and development of the suckler cow herd.

The second issue relates to entitlements established in 2011 and preceding years. In family settlement situations, for instance, a farm owner with attached entitlements may decide to allocate part of the land and entitlements to two or three family members. Will those family members establish entitlements within the context of the new proposals in terms, for example, of being able to avail of the land-based support as proposed?

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