Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

423. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications will open for the voluntary dairy cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5355/23]

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

The Food Vision Dairy Group was established in 2022 to advance the actions for the dairy sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy; taking account of the requirement for the dairy sector to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process, i.e. a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030.  

The Dairy Group submitted its final report, which has been published, in late 2022. The report included an option for a voluntary exit or reduction scheme.

The report, along with its counterpart from the Food Vision Beef Group, will be considered carefully before deciding on next steps with the goal of futureproofing our beef and dairy sectors for the benefit of our industry, the environment and our farm families who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities.