Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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799. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the qualifying criteria for eligibility for the suckler farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45820/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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On October 9 of this year I announced details of my Department’s 2019 Budget. This included the introduction of a €20m Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot scheme (BEEPS). This is a new pilot scheme targeted at suckler farmers, and aimed at further improving the economic and carbon efficiency of Irish beef production.

The purpose of the scheme will be to promote the practice of weight recording in the suckler herd with a view to using the data to inform decisions on breeding in order to promote more economically and environmentally efficient breeding practices.

Details of the scheme are being finalised and will be published as soon as they are available. All suckler farmers will be permitted to apply for this scheme.