Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 12 December 2017, when a reply will issue. [2653/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Beef Data and Genomics Programme is  the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which will provide Irish beef farmers with some €300 million of funding over the lifetime of the current RDP. 

The information sought by the Deputy, further to parliamentary question number 375 of of 12 December 2017, is as follows:

Each €5 increase on the first 10 animals would cost €1,119,605

Each €5 increase on the first 15 animals would cost €1,529,240

Each €5 increase on the first 20 animals would cost €1,833,230

Each €5 increase on the first 25 animals would cost €2,053,070

Each €5 increase on the first 30 animals would cost €2,212,160.

Any change to the scheme would be very difficult in the context of an innovative scheme which has undergone an approval process by the European Commission. Payments to farmers under the BDGP are made on the basis of costs incurred or income foregone, any change to payment rates would require farmers to undertake additional actions to justify any increased payment.

The BDGP as currently configured represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and rural development measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. I believe that it is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future.