Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 348: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position in relation to the suckler herd scheme (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10112/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Certificate in Agriculture is equivalent to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) level 5. It is one level below the NFQ level 6 Agricultural qualification required to get an exemption from the Training measure under the Suckler Welfare Scheme.

It is important to bear in mind that the training required for the Suckler Welfare Scheme consists of no more than attending a single three-hour session. The farmer has two years to complete this training (before the end of 2009). The training session will be organised around a mart, a farm walk or other suitable venue that can cater for an exhibition of live animals. The venues will be spread throughout the entire country to cater for all those who have applied to join the scheme. It is expected that most of those farmers who qualify for the training exemption will opt to attend anyway because the training session will have all the latest information on breed improvement programmes as well as dealing with animal health and welfare issues for suckler farming. Veterinary and cattle breeding experts will be there on the day to discuss these issues with the farmers.

The use of the 35 years as the cut-off point is not regarded as a breach of the Equal Status Act. In any scheme where there is a concession given to young trained farmers, there has to be a cut-off age beyond which the exemption does not apply. In the case of the Suckler Welfare Scheme, the Department uses 35 years as the cut-off. This is in common with the age limit for a number of other schemes that have operated for many years e.g. the Installation Aid Scheme, the top-up for young trained farmers under the On–Farm Investment Schemes or the Stamp-duty relief for young trained farmers.