Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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766. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farmers will be eligible to apply for the new suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58821/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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767. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reference year for the new suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58822/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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768. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a penalty if the number of suckler cows drops during any given year on the suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58823/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 to 768, inclusive, together.

The aim of theSuckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) 2023-2027 is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd and to improve the genetic merit of the suckler herd. The scheme aims to build on the gains delivered through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP).

Operational information including details of the reference year and penalty schedule will be announced in due course.

The funding of €260 million in the lifetime of this programme is a recognition of the importance of the suckler sector to Ireland’s economy and will help in improving economic and environmental efficiency of their enterprises. Improving the carbon efficiency of suckler cows will play a key role in reducing Ireland’s emissions into the future. Payment rates of €150 for the first 10 cows and €120 for the remainder up to a max of 100 per herd will apply.

Farmers will be able to apply for the scheme from early 2023.