Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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53. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation to beef sustainability measures in 2023. [11775/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The contribution of cattle rearing and finishing enterprises to the overall agri-food sector and to a balanced regional economy is greatly appreciated by my Department and the Government.

I am committed to the long-term sustainability of our beef and suckler sectors. I want to see the sector have a strong future for farmers as well as everyone in the industry. Our beef is in demand across the globe and we are committed to adding value to the sector for the benefit of our farm families.

Under the new CAP strategic plan (CSP), which is worth almost €10 billion to Irish agriculture over its lifespan, beef farmers will be able to join the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP). The Programme, which will run from 2023 to 2027, is designed to support farmers in improving 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 achieved through previous beef sustainability measures such as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme.

With a budget of €260 million to be drawn down over its duration, this programme is a recognition of the importance of suckler production to the Irish economy and will help in improving the economic and environmental sustainability of those enterprises. The budget of €260 million will be spread across the 5 year programme at approximately €52 million per year.Enhancing the carbon efficiency of suckler cows is critical to reducing future emissions arising from agricultural production. Payment rates of €150 for the first 10 cows and €120 for the remainder, up to a maximum of 100 per herd, will apply.

It is envisaged that farmers will be able to apply for the SCEP later this month and operational information, including programme details, will be announced in due course.

More generally, my Department provides a range of measures to support beef farmers under the CSP including, for example, the ACRES and Organics schemes. I will introduce a new exchequer funded scheme in 2023 focused on beef welfare measures to replace the welfare component of BEEP-S. This has an allocation of €28 million, while dairy beef has an allocation of €5 million.

I remain fully committed to supporting the beef sector and, in particular, the farming families who are integral to the environmental, economic and social sustainability of rural communities.