ICSA Suckler chair Jimmy Cosgrave has said the suckler sector needs urgent investment if the decline in suckler numbers is to be halted. “In the last three years, we have seen a roughly 15% drop in suckler calf births, and all indications are that this trend will continue, with more and more suckler cows not being put into calf,” he said.

Mr Cosgrave said that rather than increasing support for the suckler sector to address this decline, funding for suckler farmers has actually decreased over successive budgets. “The reality is that government funding for sucklers is going down instead of up. The BEEP-S scheme was worth €40 million. The budget for its replacement, the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS), was worth €28 million in its first year, which has now been cut to just €20 million for this year. Additionally, of the €28 million allocated to the NBWS in its first year only €14.2 million was drawn down by suckler farmers. This shows how badly designed the scheme is and demonstrates the lack of any genuine commitment to supporting the suckler sector.”

Mr Cosgrave said that if the decline in the suckler sector is not addressed, the sustainability of rural Ireland, the economic viability of our farming communities, and the integrity of our beef production system are all at risk. “We are in danger of losing something very important here, and it is imperative that preventative action is taken. Suckler farmers saw their incomes fall by 15% to just €7,425 in 2023, so the first step is undoubtedly to allocate greater funding to the suckler sector in Budget 2025 through a revamped Beef Welfare Scheme that can deliver meaningful financial benefits to suckler farmers.”

“This needs to include increased payments for meal feeding and vaccination, as well as adding elements to the scheme such as payment for myostatin testing and animal welfare protocols around weaning and dehorning. Most importantly, however, the cap limiting payments to 40 eligible animals must be removed, as it unfairly disadvantages commercial suckler farmers striving for long-term sustainability. Grants are available to dairy farmers with up to 120 cows which is a recognition that it takes more than 40 cattle to earn a full time living and perfectly illustrates the need for this cap to be reconsidered.”

“ICSA has discussed all this with Minister McConalogue as part of our pre-budget submission, and we will continue to put pressure on the Department to do the right thing by suckler farmers.”

ENDS