Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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713. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans with regard to the suckler industry here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12326/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am a strong advocate of supporting a vibrant and productive national suckler herd. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some 300 million euro in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme, which was introduced in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 EU Regulation 1305/2013, is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd. So far under this programme approximately 135 million euro has been paid out to farmers and this Government will continue to support this programme through the lifetime of the current RDP.

In relation to existing funding, under Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) my Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the 4 billion euro Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmer also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.

In relation to any potential funding over and above existing supports to farmers under the current CAP, I again stress:

There are no surplus funds available within the RDP above and beyond the funding already allocated, which has been committed to existing schemes within the RDP. Therefore, any additional supports under the RDP would require cuts to other RDP schemes and /or additional exchequer funding.  RDP schemes, including the existing BDGP are based on costs incurred and income foregone by participants. Every scheme, or scheme adjustment, under the RDP must be justified and approved by the European Commission on the basis of additional actions and income foregone by farmers. 

Any allocation of funding under Pillar I of the CAP for a coupled payment would in principle require a linear reduction to all existing farmers Basic Payment Scheme payments for redistribution.

I am not of the view that taking already committed money from farmers under the CAP is an appropriate means by which to support suckler farmers.

Any attempt to introduce a fully exchequer funded scheme would require approval by the European Commission under State Aid regulations and would need to comply with our obligations under WTO rules. The introduction of such an additional scheme funded directly from exchequer funds, would in any event not be possible under the current budgetary resources available to my Department.

I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring Irish beef has access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and processed beef, is the most appropriate way to support the continued development of the sector. This sector according to the Teagasc National Farm survey for 2016 received support equivalent to approximately 500 euro per suckler cow. 

I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post 2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP post 2020. However my strong view is that any such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.