Underfunded welfare schemes see farmers pay the price
ICSA said cuts to payment rate under the beef and sheep welfare schemes were deeply unfair.
The cuts to payment rates under beef and sheep welfare schemes are described as deeply unfair and counterproductive by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA).
ICSA president Sean McNamara said it was particularly counterproductive after farmers were encouraged to invest in animal welfare improvements.
“Farmers stepped up, but the department didn’t. Rather than rewarding stronger participation, farmers are now being punished for doing the right thing. That’s no way to build trust or deliver real welfare outcomes,” he said.
Payment rates for 2025 are being cut from €75 per calf to €67 per calf in the beef welfare scheme, and from €13 per ewe to €11.50 per ewe in the sheep welfare scheme due to both schemes being oversubscribed.
Mr McNamara said: “Oversubscription should trigger extra support, not cuts. If more farmers are prioritising animal welfare, that’s a success story. Instead, a funding gap means farmers are being short-changed. Payment rates should be moving up, not down, especially when costs are rising and inflation continues to bite.”
He said the cuts would directly impact essential animal health measures such as vaccination and faecal egg count testing.
“Adding insult to injury, Budget 2026 failed to increase allocations for these schemes, putting farmers at risk of further payment cuts next year if the shortfall is not addressed. Minister Heydon must urgently top up current funding and increase 2026 allocations to protect the promised maximum payment rates,” Mr McNamara added.
“Farmers were told the momentum towards €300 per suckler cow and €35 per ewe — when combined with SCEP and Sheep Improvement Schemes — would be maintained. These schemes are vital to sustaining family farm incomes, and farmers cannot be expected to accept a stalled or shrinking support system.”
