Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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827. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide new additional funding to promote a suckler beef brand; the amount of funding he will commit in 2021 for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35369/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Beef TaskForce, at its last meeting on 22 October 2020, supported a proposal from Bord Bia for a programme of Suckler Beef promotion and the development of a brand proposition for Irish Suckler Beef, with a budget of up to €6 million over the next three years, subject to annual review of progress.

This annual review, which will be overseen by a monitoring group with majority farmer representation, will assess progress in relation to the creation of market demand for Suckler Beef and the ability of the brand to deliver improved returns. This work will begin immediately. I welcome the commitment by stakeholders to work together in the development of a suckler brand that resonates in the marketplace and we can all stand over and support.

In addition, the Beef TaskForce also agreed in principle to support an application by Bord Bia for PGI status for "Irish Grass Fed Beef". The Beef Taskforce also agreed that, if successful, a PGI Monitoring Group, with a majority farmer representation, will be established to report on progress to the Beef TaskForce on a regular basis. The draft application seeks to strike a balance between focusing on the unique characteristics of Irish beef production, while allowing the maximum number of farmers to benefit from PGI status if it is achieved.