Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to an organisation's (details supplied) concerns regarding the cut in beef prices that farmers receive in factors and its impact on their capacity for winter finishing. [54094/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the price of beef, as with any commodity, is a commercial matter. Neither I nor the Department has any role in the determination of commodity prices

However, I am, acutely aware of the pressures being faced across the agri-food sector due to the increase in input costs. Since the invasion of Ukraine, I have taken a proactive approach to dealing with the massive challenges arising for the agri-food and fisheries sector, including providing €91 million in exceptional supports for the sector.

Central to this is the €56m Fodder Support Scheme which pays farmers up to €1,000 for saving hay and silage. The scheme will be in place for the 2023 fodder-making season too.

More generally for the beef sector, my Department provides a range of financial aids to support beef farm incomes and to support economic and environmental efficiency.

Under the new €10 billion CAP strategic plan, beef farmers can avail of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) with available funding of €260 million and enhanced support for early-stage producer organisations which provides advisory and administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, as well as supporting improved competitiveness. I have also secured budgetary provision for a €28 million exchequer funded beef welfare scheme in 2023 and €5 million for a continuation of the dairy beef calf scheme.

I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and I am actively engaging with the EU Commission, across Government and with stakeholders as this situation unfolds. I have taken a proactive approach, through the various measures I have announced since this crisis started, to support our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.