Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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583. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a tax exemption will be given to farmers who opt to cut their suckler cow numbers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45424/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I established the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group in June of this year.  This Group has been established to advance the actions for the beef and sheep sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sectors to contribute to achieving the targets set for the agriculture and land use sector in the Climate Action Plan 2021.

The Group's first priority is to fulfil the Food Vision commitment to 'produce a detailed plan to manage the sustainable environmental footprint of the beef sector, including minimising total emissions, while making a positive contribution to improved water quality and biodiversity, in line with Government policy. I have tasked the Group with providing an interim report to me as soon as possible, with a final plan to be submitted by the end of November.

The Group will then move on to progressing the other important actions for the beef and sheep sectors set out in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.

It should be clarified however that the work of the Group is currently in the initial drafting stage, and that all potential measures presented in Group meetings to date remain the subject of discussion. No measures have been agreed by the Group as yet. 

I will give full consideration to the proposals made by the Group when they report to me. My ultimate aim is to protect and future proof the beef and suckler sector because I want to see it flourish into the future.