Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he can confirm the future of the beef industry in this country, with particular reference to production conditions, husbandry, processing, breeding and market presentation; the extent to which the industry will prevail in this regard in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38473/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very confident that the outlook for the Irish beef industry is positive. Irish beef exports amounted to almost 476,000 tonnes and were worth almost €3 billion in 2023. The vast bulk of these exports are shipped to high-value markets in the UK and the EU, notably France, Netherlands, Italy & Germany.

While the EU will continue to be the dominant market for Irish beef exports, third country destinations such as the UK and Japan also provide important outlets for Irish beef.

My commitment to primary beef production is evident in the sector specific supports which I have introduced during my tenure as Minister. I have delivered on my commitment to secure €200 / per suckler cow through the introduction of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) and the Beef Welfare Scheme.

Participants in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) receive a payment equivalent to €150/cow on the first 22 cows and €120 per cow on subsequent cows. Farmers participating in the Beef Welfare Scheme who complete the meal feeding and vaccination actions will receive €50 – subject to a maximum of 40 calves. This scheme will promote best practice in calf nutrition and herd health.

Therefore, participants in both schemes who correctly complete all the required actions are eligible to receive a payment of €200 for the first 22 cow / calf pairs and €170 for the next 18 calves. Both scheme measures will act to optimise animal performance throughout its lifetime.

All supports, whether EU co-funded or exchequer-funded, along with adequate market returns will ensure that our beef farmers will continue to produce the raw material to enable the industry to compete successfully overseas.

At the other end of the production cycle, I have led Ministerial trade missions all around the world together with my Ministerial colleagues in the Department to promote opportunities for our agri-food sector including, of course, beef exports.

In line with the ambitious strategy set out in Food Vision 2030, my present and future focus is on developing more market opportunities at home and abroad while providing targeted measures to support the competitiveness and productivity of primary producers.