Budget measures pave the way for transition years until new CAP in 2023

An 11% increase in the Department of Agriculture’s 2021 Budget, to €1.826bn, is injected to help ease the transition between the current CAP and the next one. Picture: Sasko Lazarov

Budget Day brought €40m for extension of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, €40m also for the Beef Sector Efficiency Pilot (based on the BEEP-S Scheme), and €5m for a new calf weighing measure to support beef farmers rearing dairy calves.

A €17m extension of the Sheep Welfare Scheme was also announced, in Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue’s bid to ensure no gaps in funding for farmers, after the Common Agricultural Policy ends on December 31, with the next CAP up to two years away.