October 19, 2020

Ireland allots EUR102 million for livestock farming

Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has allotted €102 million (US$119.5 million) for livestock farming, part of the department's allocation under Budget 2021, it was reported.

Of the amount, €85 million will be directed toward "sustainable" beef farming, including an extension of the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) during the transition period of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a 'Beef Sector Efficiency Pilot' scheme, which will be based on the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot – Suckler (BEEP-S) scheme.

The remainder (€17 million) will go to the Sheep Welfare Scheme.

On top of that, there will be an additional €5 million for a new calf weighing measure to support beef farmers rearing dairy calves, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said, according to AgriLand.

Current schemes including the Green, Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme have also received €450 million in funding, while €80 million will be directed toward the continuation of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS).

Martin Heydon, Minister of State with responsibility for new market development, farm safety and research development, meanwhile, noted the increased funding for Bord Bia (Irish Food Board).

Provisions for the department's competitive research programmes, Teagasc (Agriculture and Food Development Authority) and the Marine Institute have all been increased as well.