Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department is examining all appropriate measures to support the different agrifood sectors, including the suckler sector, in preparation for the next iteration of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the relevant research and the available budget and structure of the new CAP when it is finalised.

I was pleased to secure in the budget this week an allocation of €20 million in 2019 for a new pilot scheme for suckler farmers, the beef environmental efficiency programme. The data collected on this will also be a valuable addition to Ireland's already impressive database on cattle genomics. Details of the scheme will be announced in due course.

The beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, is currently the main support specifically targeted for the suckler beef sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current rural development programme period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing the genetic merit within the herd.

My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion rural development programme. In addition to the BDGP, other supports include green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, areas of natural constraints ANCs and knowledge transfer groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the basic payment scheme and the greening payments under CAP Pillar I.

I am conscious this has been a difficult year for the sector in terms of weather and the range of challenges associated with it. At the recent meeting of the beef round table on 3 October, I highlighted the need for stakeholders to recognise their interdependency. I urged processors to engage positively with their farmer suppliers. It is essential that the position of the primary producer in the supply chain be secured if we are to build a sector for the future.

The beef roundtable also included discussions on the potential for producer organisations and the development of new technologies as ways of adding value along the whole supply chain, all tools to build resilience in the sector. Producer organisations would allow farmers to engage collectively with processors, with the aim of strengthening farmers' bargaining power. Additionally, I have asked Bord Bia to conduct a detailed examination of market dynamics, with the co-operation of the industry, taking into account sales of particular cuts into particular segments of the market in order to improve price transparency.

One of the unique strengths the agrifood sector has is our shared vision for the sustainable development of the sector in Food Wise 2025. I hope that this positive engagement will continue.

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I am strongly of the view that this new provision announced in this week's budget and the existing range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. According to national farm survey already suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.

I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post-2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system. The beef environmental efficiency pilot is a positive step in that direction.

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