Minister announces suckler scheme

A new €235 million suckler welfare scheme was announced yesterday by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan, after it was approved by the European Commission.

Participation is voluntary and will be open to all suckler farmers, including those with mixed enterprise herds containing both suckler and dairy animals.

Ms Coughlan said in developing the scheme she was delivering on a key element of the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan which identified the beef sector as a vital area for development.