Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will introduce an incentive for new entrants to the animal welfare, recording and breeding scheme for suckler herds in view of the fact that the age profile of farmers in this sector is poor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30100/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds was introduced by me in order to enhance welfare standards, improve husbandry standards, provide education and knowledge building, improve the genetic quality, and improve the competitiveness and quality of the product of the Irish beef industry.

This is an animal welfare scheme with payments calculated on actual costings. While the scheme is 100% Exchequer funded, Ireland was required to seek State Aid approval from the EU Commission before the scheme could be introduced. This State Aid approval was given on the basis that the rate of payment was calculated using the costs to farmers of carrying out the various measures under the scheme. There is therefore no possibility of providing incentives as any such payment would constitute a production aid and would contravene EU law.

I expect the scheme to prove very attractive to all suckler farmers. The scheme gives special recognition to young trained farmers under 35 years of age, in that they will not be required to undertake the training element of the scheme.