Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the current valuation ceilings for farmers where their animals are infected by TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66116/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland.
My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm.
The primary support scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme, where animals removed as reactors receive compensation equivalent to what their market value would have been if they had not been disclosed as TB reactors, subject to scheme ceilings. Further supports are available through the Income Supplement Scheme, Depopulation Grant scheme and the Hardship Grant scheme.
In the period up to 31st of October, of the 32,860 animals valued under the On Farm Market Valuation scheme, just under 97% of animals were valued below the scheme ceilings.
As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group was established to review the financial modelling of various elements of the bovine TB Eradication programme.
As a result of the agreement reached in this Group in 2023, there were rate enhancements to the Income Supplement Scheme, the Hardship Grant and the Depopulation Grant as well as enhanced ceilings for select animals being removed as part of the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme.
In addition, the Financial Working Group also expanded the eligibility criteria under the Income Supplement Scheme and Hardship Grant Schemes.
Due to the increased cost of the bTB programme in recent years, the focus at present is on reducing the levels of disease which will reduce the impact of bTB on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme which rose to over €100 million in 2024, a figure which will be exceeded in 2025.
122. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions at EU level regarding Ireland’s total allowable catches for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66612/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of Ireland's commercial fish stocks are shared between the EU and Third Countries, such as the UK.
The European Commission has exclusive competency to negotiate fishery agreements with Third Countries on behalf of EU Member States. The Commission operates under a mandate set by Council and any agreement is formally adopted by Council. Ireland inputs into the development of this mandate and throughout the negotiation process, in order to raise our concerns and priorities.
I addressed the matter of Ireland's fishing opportunities at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in September, October and November.
At the November Council meeting, I also confirmed of Ireland’s intention to invoke the Hague Preferences at the appropriate time, noting that the Hague Preferences are a fundamental part of relative stability and have been recognised as such in the legal framework of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) since 1983 when the CFP was established.
I will continue to engage intensively with the European Commissioner for Fisheries and other Member States to raise issues of importance for Ireland and to reach an outcome that ensures the sustainability of the stocks and a level playing field for our fleet.
123. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [66742/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlong with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States across the EU to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
During these engagements, we have repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections.
We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector, which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement. The Government has concerns on the preferential access being given to Mercosur if South American farmers are not subject to the same sustainable farming standards as our own farmers.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings.
In recent months, I have met with my French, Italian, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views. Most recently, I have met with my Italian and French counterparts en marge of the November Agri-Fish Council meeting in Brussels.
In October the Commission made a proposal to further reinforce safeguards on imports of sensitive products through a dedicated legal act which will operationalise the Bilateral Safeguards chapter of the agreement. Ireland has sought clear, transparent and regular two-way engagement on the monitoring of the market situation for sensitive products, as well as some clarity on definitions within the regulation and the use of surveillance measures. We will continue to engage with Commission on these issues.
Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government: ‘Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal."
124. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the Derogation with the EU; his views on whether it will stay at current levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66744/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the up-to-date position on retention of the Nitrates Derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent visit of Commissioner Roswall to Ireland, and on talks he had with the commissioner regarding Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation. [66471/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he proposes to have further discussions at an early date with the EU Commissioner for the Environment in relation to the need to retain the Nitrates Derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66610/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on recent contacts his Department has had with the EU Commission and other EU bodies/agencies in relation to the Nitrates Derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66656/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 132, 156, 160 and 177 together.
At the EU Nitrates Committee meeting last December, my Department advised that in accordance with the Nitrates Directive, Ireland is seeking permission to continue applying in excess of 170 kg of livestock manure Nitrogen per hectare from 2026 subject to a set of conditions that will ensure that application is scientifically justified and will continue to contribute to the achievement of the Nitrates Directive’s objectives.
Since last December Ireland has made a number of presentations to the EU Nitrates Committee and there has been very significant engagement at a European level.
The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA presented on Irish water quality at the Nitrates Committee meeting in March.
In June my Department presented on Irish agriculture in a European context, the justification for our derogation, and the changes introduced during Ireland’s current Nitrates Action Programme or NAP.
At the September meeting of the Committee my Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, presented on the background to Ireland’s next NAP and our derogation request, as well as proposed measures that are now under public consultation regarding the next NAP.
All these presentations were well received by the Committee.
In June, the Commission wrote to Ireland regarding the need to demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Directive in addition to the need to meet the objectives set under the Water Framework Directive. This change has significant implications. The Government has engaged significantly with the Commission and stakeholders in response.
As part of this, I recently welcomed Commissioner Roswall to Ireland where she witnessed our unique grass-based system and the on-going work across the agrifood sector to reduce its impact on water quality. The visit included a very positive visit to a derogation farm in Kildare. The Commissioner also met farm organisations, eNGO’s, Oireachtas members, MEP’s and officials.
Engagement is on-going with the intention of securing the necessary qualified majority vote on Ireland’s derogation at the Nitrates Committee.
A qualified majority vote requires at least 15 Member States, representing at least 65% of the EU population to support a proposal brought forward by the Commission.
The priority for this government is both to retain the nitrates derogation and to improve water quality. I remain confident regarding achievement of these twin objectives.
125. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he will support tillage farmers given challenges in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65161/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the tillage support scheme, as announced in Budget 2026. [66614/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 141 together.
I fully acknowledge the pressures facing the tillage sector, not least the very challenging market conditions and downward price pressure this season. This Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops.
In recognition of the sector’s importance, my Department will be supporting the tillage sector in 2026 with funding of €50m through the Protein Aid Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure and a new Tillage Support Scheme.
Having secured additional funding in Budget 2026 to further support the sector, I intend to consult with stakeholders on how this funding will be utilised.
In addition to commitments made in Budget 2026, my Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers in recent years. This year, the budget for the Protein Aid Scheme is €10m, having increased from €7m to €10m annually from last year.
Applications for approximately 66,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw were submitted for chopping and incorporating under the Straw Incorporation Measure this year, and I made the decision to pay all eligible applicants under the scheme.
In February this year, I announced €32.4 million of payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme, which was Government’s response to the difficult position tillage and horticultural farmers found themselves in due to exceptionally poor weather and continued high input costs last Spring.
The Farming for Water EIP has a budget of €60m to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including establishment of cover crops. The tillage sector is also being supported under other schemes, including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.
The Food Vision Tillage Group report identifies opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders to progress the actions in the report, and as it is an industry report, it will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders.
I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support where possible given the strategic importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.
126. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the reports on Brazil’s illegal antibiotic trade; if he has concerns regarding same in relation to the import of Brazilian beef into the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66472/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraReports of the Farmers Journal investigation into the sale of hormones and antibiotics in Brazil raise important issues and merit careful examination.
We know that Brazilian beef already enters the EU market, and it is therefore important to ensure that none of the unregulated products referenced in the investigation are used in its production. While there is no evidence that this is the case, these reports reinforce the need for continued vigilance.
According to Central Statistics Office data for the last number of years, Ireland has not imported beef product in any significant quantities from Brazil. In 2024, imports from Brazil amounted to 97 tonnes of a total of 34,000 tonnes imported. Beef imports from other Mercosur countries was virtually nil.
The EU has very stringent standards, known as SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) standards, to protect human, animal and plant health. These are amongst the highest in the world, and the European Commission has insisted that they are not negotiable. These SPS standards remain unaltered regardless of any trade agreements concluded by the EU.
The Government is very firmly of the view that these EU SPS standards must continue to be rigorously upheld for the benefit of European consumers. It is also important that the European Commission continues to engage with the Brazilian authorities to ensure that this is the case.
Throughout the EU-Mercosur negotiation process, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade - who has lead responsibility for trade policy - and I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views. Most recently, I have met with my Italian and French counterparts en marge of the November Agri-Fish Council meeting in Brussels.
127. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out on food safety in the Irish food market with regard to the importation of Brazilian beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66485/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraReports of the Farmers Journal investigation into the sale of hormones and antibiotics in Brazil raise important issues and merit careful examination.
We know that Brazilian beef already enters the EU market, and it is therefore important to ensure that none of the unregulated products referenced in the investigation are used in its production. While there is no evidence that this is the case, these reports reinforce the need for continued vigilance.
According to Central Statistics Office data for the last number of years, Ireland has not imported beef product in any significant quantities from Brazil. In 2024, imports from Brazil amounted to 97 tonnes of a total of 34,000 tonnes imported. Beef imports from other Mercosur countries was virtually nil.
The EU has very stringent standards, known as SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) standards, to protect human, animal and plant health. These are amongst the highest in the world, and the European Commission has insisted that they are not negotiable. These SPS standards remain unaltered regardless of any trade agreements concluded by the EU.
The Government is very firmly of the view that these EU SPS standards must continue to be rigorously upheld for the benefit of European consumers. It is also important that the European Commission continues to engage with the Brazilian authorities to ensure that this is the case.
Throughout the EU-Mercosur negotiation process, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade - who has lead responsibility for trade policy - and I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views. Most recently, I have met with my Italian and French counterparts en marge of the November Agri-Fish Council meeting in Brussels.
128. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reverse his decision to cut the payment rate to the beef and sheep welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66295/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will deal with the three nationally funded beef and sheep schemes separately, but at the outset I want to state that the combined allocation for 2025 across all three schemes was €54 million and €54 million will be paid across all three schemes in the coming weeks.
Beef Welfare Scheme
The Beef Welfare Scheme 2025 opened for application on 13th August, 2025 and closed on 24th September, 2025 with participants committing to carrying out the mandatory action (meal feeding) and any optional actions (vaccination and faecal egg count / forage testing) they applied for.
Total applications of 24,476, an increase of 700 farmers on 2024 scheme, were received.
Due to demand and the popularity of the scheme and to stay within the budget allocation of €28 million, a linear adjustment is being applied to the voluntary measures of vaccination, forage analysis and faecal egg count. No adjustment will be applied to the mandatory measure of meal feeding. Some 452,000 calves will be supported by the scheme.
The payment rate for a farmer who has applied for all three actions will be €67 per calf on up to 45 calves. In 2024, the payment was €50 per calf with the maximum number of calves payable being 40 calves. Therefore, the maximum payment in 2025 will be €3,015, a significant increase from the maximum payment of €2,000 in 2024.
Payments for Beef Welfare Scheme participants who have cleared all administrative checks will commence in early December 2025. All of the €28 million will be spent.
National Sheep Welfare Scheme
€22 million was allocated for the continuation and expansion of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) measures in Budget 2025 compared to €15m in 2024.
Over 17,200 farmers submitted an application.
In 2024, applicants who completed their 2 chosen actions were paid at a rate of €8 per breeding ewe. In 2025 the option of completing an additional action was provided within the scheme and any applicants who have selected to carry out all three actions will be paid €11.50 per breeding ewe, an increase of 44% on payment rates in 2024.
Payments for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme commenced on 10 November 2025 with €16.44 million paid to 13,175 participants. A further payrun will occur in early December 2025. All of the €22 million will be spent.
National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme
This scheme provides support of €20 per calf on up to 200,000 calves within the scheme allocation of €4 million.
Calves had to be weighed and weighted provided to ICBF by 1 November 2025. In total over 305,000 calves were weighed across over 8,300 herds. To stay within the €4 million allocation, the maximum number of calves payable per application will reduce from 50 calves to 31 calves. Payments under this scheme will commence in the coming days.
In addition to ensuring the full allocation of €54 million is spent across these three schemes in 2025, I have secured a further €54 million for continuation of these schemes in 2026 and discussions with the farming organisations have already taken place on ensuring the schemes in 2026 are equally successful and take up equally as strong as we have seen in 2025.
129. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will engage with hill farmers in relation to localised management of mountain environments taking account of international best practice. [66663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will continue to engage with Hill Farmer stakeholders regarding their concerns on the management of mountain environments.
While ACRES, the current agri-environment climate measure under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, is closed for applications, my Department will be engaging in due course with a range of stakeholders in relation to the development of new measures for the next CAP programming period post-2027.
Hill farmers who are participating in the ACRES Co-operation approach may avail of complementary environmental actions under the Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) and Landscape Actions elements of the ACRES Co-operation approach.
While their ACRES advisor can advise them as to whether NPIs are appropriate for their lands, the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Teams, whose services were procured by my Department, engage with the participants in their respective zones in relation to Landscape Actions. I understand that a number of the CP Teams held information meetings in their areas to bring the options available under the Landscape Action element to the attention of ACRES Co-operation participants.
For a land parcel to be eligible under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme, agricultural activity must be taking place in a parcel. Agricultural activity is the use of the parcel to produce agricultural products, such as livestock rearing and fattening, milk production, the growing of fodder crops (silage, hay), tillage and energy crops, or, indeed, the maintenance of the agricultural area.
This definition of agricultural activity considers the physical limitations that certain parcels can be constrained by, in particular hill and upland parcels, and allows other forms of agricultural activity, outside of production to be carried out.
This broad definition of agricultural activity allows uplands to be managed in a way that best suits the local conditions and that takes account of best practice.
131. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the 2025 budget for the forgotten farmer scheme has reduced from €5 million to €2.25 million in the supplementary estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66294/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme to support Long established Young Farmers, more commonly referred to as forgotten farmers, opened for submission of online applications on 22nd July 2025. The online application system remained open for over three weeks and closed on 13th August 2025.
The scheme was flagged in the farming media and in advance of the closing date my Department issued text message reminders to potential applicants whose applications were still in draft.
There were 1,254 applications submitted under the scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers by the closing date of 13th August 2025.
An initial assessment of these applications has been carried out. Based on the results of this assessment it has been determined that an allocation of €2.25 million for 2025 will provide the maximum possible payment to eligible applicants, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme.
It is expected that payments will be made in early to mid-December 2025.
134. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls received by his Department’s confidential animal welfare helpline since 2020; the numbers of calls which prompted investigations; the results of those investigations; the number of staff which are working in the animal welfare unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65633/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of coordination between his Department, the Gardaí, and local authorities in handling animal welfare investigations; his views on whether the current arrangements are effective; his views that animal welfare charities are carrying an undue share of the responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 145 together.
My Department has lead policy responsibility within Government for animal welfare and takes this responsibility most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner.
All reports of alleged animal cruelty or neglect received by my Department are investigated. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.
Since the introduction of the Act, approximately 1,000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, providing nationwide coverage.
I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out, often in very challenging circumstances, by animal welfare organisations and their dedicated volunteers and staff across Ireland.
Animal welfare charities play a crucial role in helping animals in need, educating people, and raising public awareness about improving animal welfare.
I do not comment on individual cases, however, if members of the public are aware of any cases of suspected abuse or neglect, they can contact my Department's animal welfare helpline on:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
The number of calls received by my Department’s confidential animal welfare helpline since 2020 is listed in tabular form below:
|
Year |
Animal Welfare Calls |
|
2025 End of Oct |
2040 |
|
2024 |
2210 |
|
2023 |
1609 |
|
2022 |
1251 |
|
2021 |
880 |
|
2020 |
846 |
|
Total |
8836 |
135. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the programme for Government commitment to publish a five-year Fisheries Sector Strategy that will include an examination of the processing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66125/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have engaged Mr. Kieran Mulvey as a Facilitator to work with seafood representative groups in order to identify and articulate issues, priorities and opportunities for the sector.
This engagement, in addition to my own engagement with the sector, will assist me in setting the Terms of Reference for a Fisheries Sector Strategy next year.
136. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the food safety standards which are in place to ensure the quality of South American beef entering the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66657/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraReports of the Farmers Journal investigation into the sale of hormones and antibiotics in Brazil raise important issues and merit careful examination.
We know that Brazilian beef already enters the EU market, and it is therefore important to ensure that none of the unregulated products referenced in the investigation are used in its production. While there is no evidence that this is the case, these reports reinforce the need for continued vigilance.
According to Central Statistics Office data for the last number of years, Ireland has not imported beef product in any significant quantities from Brazil. In 2024, imports from Brazil amounted to 97 tonnes of a total of 34,000 tonnes imported. Beef imports from other Mercosur countries was virtually nil.
The EU has very stringent standards, known as SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) standards, to protect human, animal and plant health. These are amongst the highest in the world, and the European Commission has insisted that they are not negotiable. These SPS standards remain unaltered regardless of any trade agreements concluded by the EU.
The Government is very firmly of the view that these EU SPS standards must continue to be rigorously upheld for the benefit of European consumers. It is also important that the European Commission continues to engage with the Brazilian authorities to ensure that this is the case.
Throughout the EU-Mercosur negotiation process, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade - who has lead responsibility for trade policy - and I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views. Most recently, I have met with my Italian and French counterparts en marge of the November Agri-Fish Council meeting in Brussels.
137. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the top five countries to which Ireland exports its produce; the top product exported to each of these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66676/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2024, Irish agrifood exports were valued at a record €19 billion, a 5% increase on 2023, and a 65% increase over the decade since 2014. Irish agrifood exports reached over 190 markets worldwide and accounted for 8.5% of all Irish goods exported. This significant export profile is a testament to the dedication of our farmers and fishers, food producers, processors, manufacturers and distributors.
• The United Kingdom is consistently Ireland’s largest market for agrifood produce with exports reaching close to €7.3 billion, or 38%, in 2024. Within this, the most valuable product line was beef at €1.4 billion.
• The United States was the second largest destination with exports amounting to approximately €1.9 billion, or 10%. Beverages made up the largest segment of this value, at €829 million, followed closely by dairy produce at €805 million.
• The Netherlands was the third largest market, with exports valued at €1.7 billion, or 9% by value. The largest component of this was dairy produce, at €1.1 billion.
• France was the fourth largest market, with exports amounting to over €1.2 billion, within which beef was the most valuable export at €361 million, with dairy produce also forming a substantial share valued at €359 million.
• The fifth largest market in 2024 was Germany at €1 billion, or 5% by value, with dairy produce the most valuable product exported to this destination at €467 million.
In total, after the UK, the EU accounts for €6.5 billion, or 34% of value, and the Rest of World markets account for €5.3 billion, or 28%.
The continuation of Irish agrifood export growth is a key focus for my Department. This is reflected in Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder-led strategy for the sector, which prioritises the development of market opportunities for Irish agrifood both at home and abroad, based on value rather than volume.
These figures are based on the latest full-year Central Statistics Office trade statistics. Further information on Agrifood sector trade can be found in chapter six of the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and Marine 2024 - 2025, my Department’s flagship economic publication, available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/annual-review-and-outlook-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-2024/
Estimates for export values for 2025 will be available early in 2026.
138. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider the cuts to the beef and sheep welfare schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65495/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will deal with the three nationally funded beef and sheep schemes separately, but at the outset I want to state that the combined allocation for 2025 across all three schemes was €54 million and €54 million will be paid across all three schemes in the coming weeks.
Beef Welfare Scheme
The Beef Welfare Scheme 2025 opened for application on 13th August, 2025 and closed on 24th September, 2025 with participants committing to carrying out the mandatory action (meal feeding) and any optional actions (vaccination and faecal egg count / forage testing) they applied for.
Total applications of 24,476, an increase of 700 farmers on 2024 scheme, were received.
Due to demand and the popularity of the scheme and to stay within the budget allocation of €28 million, a linear adjustment is being applied to the voluntary measures of vaccination, forage analysis and faecal egg count. No adjustment will be applied to the mandatory measure of meal feeding. Some 452,000 calves will be supported by the scheme.
The payment rate for a farmer who has applied for all three actions will be €67 per calf on up to 45 calves. In 2024, the payment was €50 per calf with the maximum number of calves payable being 40 calves. Therefore, the maximum payment in 2025 will be €3,015, a significant increase from the maximum payment of €2,000 in 2024.
Payments for Beef Welfare Scheme participants who have cleared all administrative checks will commence in early December 2025. All of the €28 million will be spent.
National Sheep Welfare Scheme
€22 million was allocated for the continuation and expansion of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) measures in Budget 2025 compared to €15m in 2024.
Over 17,200 farmers submitted an application.
In 2024, applicants who completed their 2 chosen actions were paid at a rate of €8 per breeding ewe. In 2025 the option of completing an additional action was provided within the scheme and any applicants who have selected to carry out all three actions will be paid €11.50 per breeding ewe, an increase of 44% on payment rates in 2024.
Payments for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme commenced on 10 November 2025 with €16.44 million paid to 13,175 participants. A further payrun will occur in early December 2025. All of the €22 million will be spent.
National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme
This scheme provides support of €20 per calf on up to 200,000 calves within the scheme allocation of €4 million.
Calves had to be weighed and weighted provided to ICBF by 1 November 2025. In total over 305,000 calves were weighed across over 8,300 herds. To stay within the €4 million allocation, the maximum number of calves payable per application will reduce from 50 calves to 31 calves. Payments under this scheme will commence in the coming days.
In addition to ensuring the full allocation of €54 million is spent across these three schemes in 2025, I have secured a further €54 million for continuation of these schemes in 2026 and discussions with the farming organisations have already taken place on ensuring the schemes in 2026 are equally successful and take up equally as strong as we have seen in 2025.
139. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the herd incidence of bovine TB in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66458/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine TB (bTB) is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. In recent years there has been a significant increase in bTB levels nationally. As at 16th November 2025, over a 12-month period the herd incidence is 5.87% having started to reduce in recent months.
Over time our understanding of bovine TB has increased and evolved and research has shown that our current approach to addressing disease levels on its own was not enough to control and ultimately eradicate bovine TB.
Earlier this year, I had extensive engagement with stakeholders and farming organisations to agree measures to tackle the current disease levels and in June I received the support of Government to introduce additional measures to the bovine TB programme.
On 9 September, I launched the ‘Bovine TB Action Plan: Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland’. There are 5 measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise in this action plan.
Support herds free of bTB to remain free
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB
The aim of the Action Plan is to reset the bTB programme in the context of putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation. These measures are targeting both transmission between wildlife and cattle, and transmission between cattle.
I intend introducing some of the measures immediately in terms of communication and engagement with farmers while others will be introduced over the coming months and into 2026.
As some of these measures require work on IT systems this work is being prioritised and will be rolled out in the coming months. Farmers and all stakeholders will be notified in advance of any changes to the TB programme through communication campaigns.
I have secured an increased budget allocation for the TB programme in Budget 2026, providing a total budget of €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing this disease and I am confident it will help drive down the incidences of bovine TB levels in future years through the implementation of the Action Plan.
140. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements he has had in relation to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65494/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlong with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States across the EU to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
During these engagements, we have repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections.
We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector, which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Italian, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views. Most recently, I have met with my Italian and French counterparts en marge of the November Agri-Fish Council meeting in Brussels.
In October the Commission made a proposal to further reinforce safeguards on imports of sensitive products through a dedicated legal act which will operationalise the Bilateral Safeguards chapter of the agreement. Ireland has sought clear, transparent and regular two-way engagement on the monitoring of the market situation for sensitive products, as well as some clarity on definitions within the regulation and the use of surveillance measures. We will continue to engage with Commission on these issues.
As it stands Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government: ‘Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal."
