Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of suckler cows in the national herd at 1 March 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14006/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Data on the suckler cow herd for the last 2 years is presented in the table below. Data in respect of the current year is not yet available but the figure for December 2011 shows only a marginal decline (-0.7%) on same period in 2010.

Source: CSO December livestock data.

Primary production in the beef sector benefits substantially from a number of support measures being channelled into the overall sector. The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, for instance, makes a significant contribution to maintaining the output quality and overall viability of the sector at farm level. Despite the constraints on the national finances, I have been able to continue to provide the necessary funding to meet all payments due under the Scheme in the current year at existing rates. Since its introduction on January 2008, payments to farmers by my Department under the Scheme have amounted to €127.2m. Approximately €22.7m has been paid through the scheme in respect of animals born in 2010 and approximately €15.9m has been paid in respect of 2011-born animals. Depending on the number of successful applicants, this figure could potentially reach €25m by the end of the year.

In addition, last month I launched the Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) to build on the work being done under the recently expanded Teagasc/IFJ BETTER Farm Programme. Utilising a discussion group format, this new initiative aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the productivity and profitability of their beef enterprises. A budget of €5m has been made available for the BTAP in 2012 but my intention is that the Programme will run over 3 years subject to funding.

Besides these direct supports to primary producers, my Department and its agencies engage in a range of activities that provide the infrastructure necessary for the future growth of the beef sector as envisaged in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. These include the advisory and research output of Teagasc, Bord Bia's Beef Quality Assurance Scheme, which now incorporates environmental sustainability criteria, and its promotional work in expanding beef sales at home and abroad together with my Department's Beef and Sheepmeat Capital Investment Fund for the processing industry. Equally important is the sizeable contribution made by my Department to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation which enables it to fulfil its critical role in improving the genetic quality of the national beef and dairy herd. Finally, my Department is working with industry and with our embassies overseas to facilitate market access for Irish beef in a range of third countries that can offer alternative outlets to exporters along with real potential for expansion. Collectively, these ongoing investments and services serve to underpin the strength of the suckler cow herd.