Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1557. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new scheme replacing the BEEP scheme for suckler cows called SCEP will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13014/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The importance of beef production enterprises to the overall agri-food sector and to a balanced regional economy is well understood by the Government.

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). This 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, which is the successor to the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), will also incorporate the weighing measure from the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) and aims to build on the gains achieved through BDGP and BEEP.

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.Enhancing the carbon efficiency of suckler cows is critical to reducing future emissions arising from agricultural production. Provided that all programme requirements are met, payments of €225 for first 15 hectares and €180 for the remaining hectares up to the maximum payable area will be made.

More generally, my Department provides a range of measures to support beef farmers under the CSP including, for example, the ACRES and Organics schemes.

Through these measures and other interventions, I am continuing to support beef sector production andI can confirm to the Deputy that the SCEP opened for applications on 20 March 2023.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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1558. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the parameters he will be proposing in the Suckler Cow Efficiency Programme in order to ensure former BEEP participants are not excluded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13038/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The importance of beef production enterprises to the overall agri-food sector and to a balanced regional economy is well understood by the Government.

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). This 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.Enhancing the carbon efficiency of suckler cows is critical to reducing future emissions arising from agricultural production. Provided that all programme requirements are met, payments of €225 for the first 15 hectares and €180 for the remaining hectares, up to the maximum payable area, will be made to participants.

Regarding the specific query raised by the Deputy, I can advise that the programme terms and conditions have been drafted to facilitate new entrants and are sufficiently flexible in this regard. To ensure that farmers are fully informed of programme requirements and payment rates, my Department will hold a SCEP webinar in early April and will organise a nationwide schedule of information sessions to take place from late March to early May.