Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to introduce measures that will result in the destocking of suckler cows, as recommended by the food vision beef and sheep group, considering the significant economic impact that this would have and recognising that suckler beef production has a lower emission profile than other sectors for which similar proposals have not been made. [61288/22]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Many people were surprised to learn that between June 2017 and February 2020 there was a decrease of more than 18%, or 200,000 cattle, in the suckler herd. Does the Minister intend to introduce further measures aimed at the destocking of suckler cows and the ending of suckler farms as recommended by the food vision beef and sheep group?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I thank all of those who participated in the food vision beef and sheep group as well as the stakeholders and representatives who participated in the food vision dairy group. As the Deputy will be aware, we have a 25% reduction in emissions to achieve by the end of 2030 from the agriculture sector as part of our overall contribution to achieving 51% economy-wide by 2030. The Deputy's party did not have a position on what the figures should be. I have worked hard to ensure the ultimate outcome in terms of the sectoral target for agriculture was kept manageable. It will stretch us at 25% but it is doable. I want to be informed by the sectors and farmer representatives in particular as to how we step this forward because working together is going to be key in delivery. Building on the massive work that family farmers done on the environment, improvements in emissions,and further efficiencies will be important but we have to step it out in a way that gets us to that 25% reduction by 2030.

I have received the two reports. I received the food vision dairy group report approximately three weeks ago and I received the food vision beef and sheep group report last week. I am reflecting on and considering it. It is a submission to me and not all the measures in it have the support of everyone, in particular the issue relating to the suckler herd. Whether there will be a voluntary scheme is something that does not have support from any of the farm organisations or, indeed, from the meat factories or processors. I will reflect on all of that and on the suite of options.

That is only one of the aspects but is the one that has received most attention. Both those reports contain many options that can make a difference in achieving our emissions reduction. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to the suckler sector, which is the anchor of our beef industry and needs to remain so. I have a massive commitment to it which is why I have put in the new beef suckler scheme under the new CAP. I am not making a judgment one way or another on both reports until they are fully considered and then I will make my position clear.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We would have a much better agricultural policy and overall discussion if the Minister was willing to engage on issues. Through our suckler herd we produce some of the most sustainable beef in the world. The associated carbon emissions are half of that coming from South American beef. For the Government to even contemplate a forced reduction of Irish suckler cattle while the Mercosur trade agreement remains on the table would send a bad message to rural communities and would undermine climate action measures. Such a move would be rightly seen as hypocritical and counterproductive.

The suckler image is the brand of Ireland. It is what has given all sectors the reputation across the world as having a premium product. However, it is only sector to see a scheme introduced aimed at reduction through the ill-fated beef exceptional aid measure, BEAM, scheme. I accept that suckler farmers like those in every other sector must utilise every option to reduce emissions, including opportunities for diversification, but why has the Minister not ruled out such a move when he is on record as saying that 25% sectoral reductions can be achieved while "stabilising the herd", to use his language?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I have received the two reports and at this point I am not cherry-picking different options or proposals within either of them in advance of making a final decision on all of them. That is all I am saying. My commitment to the suckler herd is clear and that is why I have increased the payments next year under the beef suckler scheme from what had been €90 on the first ten cows under the beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, to €150 from January, which is important for the sector. The suckler sector must remain the anchor of our beef sector. It is massively important and will continue to be fully supported by me.

Alongside meeting our emissions targets, we will provide new opportunities for all farmers in terms of energy, for example through anaerobic digestion and solar power. They provide important income streams for farmers. I hope all farmers consider that alongside the important work they are doing at the moment. I have made no decision and I will not cherry-pick one issue over the other. Those are not my proposals; they are two proposals from the food vision report on which different stakeholders have taken different views. I will fully consider them and then make my views clear.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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As the Minister said, we have 80,000 suckler farms. They are a crucial economic driver in many rural communities. They are not the most profitable but they are often the most economically impactful. Before considering any suckler reduction scheme, will the Minister commit to considering the potential impact that such a scheme would have on the land mobility service by driving up the price of remaining agricultural land and what that could do for generational renewal? Will he ensure a full audit of factory-controlled feedlots and strive for a reduction within that cohort, which has experienced a 52% increase since 2017 and could hit 400,000 this year before targeting small suckler farms? Crucially, will he commit to carry out a full socioeconomic impact assessment before any scheme is introduced?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There are no plans at the moment to introduce such a scheme. We have two reports: the food vision dairy group report, which has proposed a voluntary reduction scheme for dairy farmers that had significant support among a number of stakeholders on the group. Some of the farm organisations reserved their position on that. We have another proposal from the beef and sheep group on which there are various views. Most of the farm organisations and the meat processors have not been in favour of any voluntary reduction in the suckler sector. I am considering both reports.

I have backed suckler beef farming and will continue to do so. That is why I put in place a new scheme from January next year that will pay €150 per cow for the first ten. It will improve the efficiency of the herd as well as reducing emissions and costs through improved genetics. I, as Minister, and we, as a Government, will continue to ensure that farm incomes are central for beef suckler farmers while in the process, try to reduce our emissions. I am considering both reports in the context of what we can do for our overall climate action plan targets. I will work closely with the sector to ensure incomes and the impact of any proposal is fully considered. Ultimately in anything we do, we need to see farm incomes increase in the process.