Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's response is not satisfactory, particularly in view of the pressure on the beef industry and our suckler cow herd and the fact that two or three months from now we will be half way through this Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, funding programme. As yet, the beef data and genomics programme is not at the capacity which was outlined. There are only 24,500 farmers in it, although the Government committed to having 35,000. I asked the Minister if he would reopen the programme and ensure it goes up to the capacity in that commitment but unfortunately he is not giving a clear response. It is absolutely crucial that our beef sector is supported. This is a key measure for it. The minimum the Minister needs to do is reopen it immediately. We need increased payments to support our suckler herds and ensure that farmers stay in the programme. For example, replies to parliamentary questions indicate that the Minister could increase the payment under the current programme to €200 on the first 20 cows for a sum of €40 million. We need the Minister to be open to measures like that otherwise our beef sector will go down.

See this speech in context