Doran Welcomes Budget Funding for Suckler Welfare Scheme and Beef Discussion Groups

IFA National Livestock Chairman Michael Doran has welcomed the budget decisions to retain the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme and to allocate €5m to beef discussion groups.

Michael Doran said these decisions by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney are positive for the beef sector. He said IFA put in an intensive campaign for the retention of the Suckler Cow Welfare scheme, which is 100% financed from National Exchequer funds.

The IFA livestock leader said the Suckler Cow Welfare scheme has made an invaluable contribution to the suckler cow herd in terms of improving quality, welfare and breeding. He said it is essential that this scheme is retained in future years to support the suckler beef herd.

“The €5m funding for beef discussion groups is also welcome and will make a significant contribution to improving productivity and technical efficiency at farm level.  IFA has been lobbying for discussion group funding for beef farmers since the dairy group funding was introduced two years ago.”

Michael Doran said IFA will be meeting with the Department of Agriculture immediately to discuss the arrangements in relation to the criteria for the beef discussion group funding in order to get maximum delivery with minimum bureaucracy at farm level.