€7.5 million payments under suckler welfare scheme being paid to farmers

FARMERS have begun to receive €7.5m in payments for eligible 2010-born calves, under the suckler welfare scheme.

Payments of €40 per cow on a rolling basis for 2010-born calves will continue into 2011 as additional animals become eligible.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith said: “In addition to making payments on 2008- and 2009-born calves, I was able to bring forward the payment date for eligible 2010-born calves. These payments are worth over €7.5 million to suckler farmers and will bring the total value of payments made to date in 2010 under this scheme to over €33m.”