Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support the suckler herd in the future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55264/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am very conscious of the importance of the suckler sector to Ireland's rural economy and the wider agri-food industry.

My Department provides a number of supports to the suckler herd. A range of direct payments and grant schemes provide vital income and investment support to the suckler sector, including BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which will provide Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme period. In response to significant demand, last year I reopened the BDGP programme for new entrants, reflecting the success of this programme, which targets both the environmental footprint and the profitability of the suckler herd through improving the genetic merit in participating herds.

There are a number of challenges facing the suckler sector in the short and medium term, particularly exchange rate volatility and Brexit. One of my priorities now is to further increase market access and market opportunities for Irish food and drink internationally. We are an exporting nation, with 90% of our food produce leaving the island. By further increasing our footprint internationally we can make a contribution to mitigating the effects of Brexit and develop our agri-food sector to realise its full potential. 

Live exports also play a vital role in providing an alternative market outlet for Irish farmers, including weanlings from the suckler herd at this time of year. It is an area that I have paid particular attention to since taking up office. It is notable that live exports for 2017 were up by 47,000 head, or 33% compared to 2016.

Furthermore, provisional figures from the Central Statistics Office covering the year to October show a positive trend for Irish beef exports when compared to the same period in 2016.