Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
36. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the details and payments associated with the suckler carbon efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34768/23]
View answerThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to suckler and beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
I am confident that SCEP will drive further improvements in our already world-class suckler and beef herds. It will also be a crucial income support for these farmers.
There are four main eligibility requirements for SCEP, an applicant must as set out below:
• Be farming a holding in respect of which a valid BISS application is submitted to the Department on a yearly basis and on which all land parcels are declared.
• Be a member of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) prior to 16 October 2023 and have continued participation for the duration of the programme.
• Calve at least 50% beef breed animals of the reference number between scheme year 1 (01 July 2022 and 30 June 2023) and every scheme year thereafter.
• Attend the SCEP training course by 15 November 2024.
There are five mandatory actions of SCEP as set out below:
• Action 1 - Eligible Bull/Eligible AI
• Action 2 - Female Replacement Strategy
• Action 3 – Genotyping
• Action 4 - Weighing and Submission of Weights to ICBF
• Action 5 – Calving Details and Surveys
Provided that all requirements of the programme are met, payment of €225 for the first 15 hectares and €180 for the remaining hectares up to the maximum payable area (MPA) will be made. In order to avail of the full payment, an applicant must have at least enough determined eligible forage hectares under their BISS application each year to match their MPA. If the determined eligible forage area is less than the MPA but 80% or above, the payment will be based on this eligible forage area.
The full term and conditions of the programme can be found on the gov.ie website under the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) section.
