The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Livestock Committee, Des Morrison, has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Food & Marine to ensure that every farmer that applied for the Dairy Calf-to-Beef scheme this year and completed the weighing measure is paid in full.
Speaking following a meeting with senior Department officials this morning on the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme, Mr Morrison noted that although the scheme was drastically underfunded, it was still significantly oversubscribed. He said that ICMSA was more certain than ever that there was very significant potential across a range of desirable targets for a scheme which supports the rearing of Dairy Beef calves.
Mr Morrison said that ICMSA is also calling on the Minster to seek funding so that the Dairy Calf-to-Beef Scheme (which includes the weighing measure and is paid to the famer rearing the calves) and the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme 2024 (which is paid to the dairy farmer to use 3-star AI bulls) can run in parallel with each other next year.
“These two schemes are extremely important from an emissions and animal welfare perspective. In ICMSA’s original proposal for the Dairy Calf to Beef Scheme consists of two payments of €75, the first to be paid when weights are submitted and second when the animal is slaughtered under a certain age. The scheme should be partly funded by the Department of the Environment, as the early slaughter measure reduces emissions which aid in Ireland reaching Climate Action targets.
“The Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme 2024 is essential in encouraging dairy farmers to produce a calf better suited for the beef industry, ICMSA welcomes the inclusion of the 3 star stock bulls something ICMSA sought for in a previous meeting with the department back in January ICMSA is requesting that these stock bulls be 3 stars within their own breed and for the inclusion of all beef AI bulls on the DBI – if they are considered good enough to be on the DBI than they should be eligible for the scheme.
“When AI is used under the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme, it is essential that the payment is based on the number of straws used, not the number of calves born,” Mr Morrison explained.
The Livestock Chairperson also confirmed that that they sought a clarification under the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), whereby if a farmer purchased a bull with 4 stars and that bull then goes down to 3 stars that they would remain eligible for the scheme.
“SCEP and other beef schemes should accept the star rating at the date of purchase. ICMSA also expressed our concern regarding the Bord Bia audits under SCEP; we believe that if a farmer has applied for SCEP and is still awaiting their audit or result on or after the closing date of the 16 October then they should automatically be accepted into the scheme,” concluded Mr Morrison.
