Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the introduction of new beef environmental efficiency pilot. It is a start in the process of delivering a proper payment to the suckler sector to ensure it is sustainable and that there is a margin and income for the farmers who are working so hard and underpinning our beef sector.

It has been a difficult process to get to additional payments made towards it. As the Minister will be aware, a number of months ago Fianna Fáil introduced a Dáil motion which the Government voted against. That motion mapped out a pathway towards the payment of €200 per suckler cow. The Minister previously set his stall against introducing a payment that would be coupled in some way to the suckler cow. However, this particular payment is a coupled coupled payment in that it is tied to both the suckler cow and calf and paid on the cow. It is important and will contribute to improved data collection.

It is vital that it be straightforward, simple and easy to operate for farmers. They must not see the money slip away through costs associated with the scheme. Will the scheme be open to all suckler farmers? When will the scheme open for applications? Will the Department provide assistance to ensure that those farmers without access to weighing scales can be provided with them to ensure there is no cost implication for them?

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