Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of a new suckler cow welfare scheme for 2013 based on the same rates of payment that currently operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48252/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in the current suckler cow welfare scheme that have herds of 10 or less cows, of between 20 and 11 cows, of between 30 and 21 cows and between 40 and 31 cows and of between 60 and 41 cows and greater than 60 cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48254/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 104 together.

The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme is a five-year Scheme for beef animals born during the period, which commenced on 1 January 2008 and will end on 31 December 2012. The primary objectives of the Scheme was to improve welfare standards in the sector and to assist in the establishment of a breeding database from which suckler farmers could identify the best breeding stock for their particular requirements.

The tabular statement below illustrates the number of participants in the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme in a range of herd sizes.

It can be seen from the table that the majority of the Suckler farmers are small holdings with herds of less than 20 animals.

A Value for Money Review on the operation of the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme was undertaken in 2011. This was done in accordance with the Department of Finance Value for Money and Policy Review guidelines. This review found that the Scheme has been successful in meeting its objectives and some of its main findings can be summarised as follows:

- The Scheme has largely met its original objectives in terms of bringing about improvements in animal welfare, collection of breeding data and ultimatelyachieving improved competitiveness within the Irish beef sector.

- The animal welfare measures have directly contributed to improved prices for weanlings and improved reputation for Irish beef and live exports in key markets while also having a significant attitudinal and behavioural change by suckler farmers with regard to animal welfare

- Significant improvements have been achieved in the collection and processing of the breeding data submitted under the Scheme.

- The Steering Group believed that the Suckler Scheme succeeded in advancing and improving management and animal husbandry practices on suckler farms but that it was appropriate to assess whether continued public funding was justified.

Part of this audit included surveys of, and presentations by, various interested bodies including the farming organisations and exporters and the conclusions were that the Scheme was extremely beneficial and was a significant contributor to the increased level of live exports in recent years. The future viability of this country’s beef industry depends on our ability to produce the highest quality beef animals using the highest standards of animal welfare and husbandry. Ireland is now well placed to exploit the marketing advantage that this scheme presents when selling beef into the European and further markets.

Payments will continue to be made under this Scheme on 2012 born calves and those born in earlier years at current rates as they become eligible for payment. Any decision in relation to the future will be considered during the forthcoming budgetary process.