William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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743. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department is supporting dairy and beef farmers to manage increased volatility in global markets, while also preparing for future carbon reduction obligations; and if further income-stabilisation measures or risk-management tools are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55098/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the volatile nature of farm income and the challenges of meeting our climate obligations.

Irish agricultural output prices and input costs are sensitive to geopolitical and global economic factors, as well as more localised factors. This can lead to variations in income from year to year.

I am supporting beef and dairy farmers through a combination of targeted schemes that will improve the future viability, resilience and sustainability of those enterprises. Budget 2025 delivered supports to the livestock sector (dairy, beef and sheep) at the highest level ever. Recognising the importance of the livestock sectors, I will be maintaining the existing overall allocation for the various livestock schemes which will amount to €131 million in 2026. The measures in these schemes are specifically aimed at both economic and environmental sustainably. In particular there is a strong focus on breeding measures to improve productivity from an economic and environmental perspective. I will also continue to fund the National Genotyping Programme (NGP) to support my ambition of genotyping the entire national bovine herd while delivering on key policy priorities related to climate action, sustainability, competitiveness and traceability.

One of the most effective tools in addressing volatility is the certainty provided by direct payments under the CSP.

These include measures available to farmers through both the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), which is worth €9.8 billion to farmers and rural communities over its lifetime, and through exchequer-funded schemes, designed to reduce risk and respond to market crises.

I also work closely with my colleague the Minister for Finance on taxation matters and I am open to discussing with stakeholders potential measures in managing income volatility.