The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Walsh, announced yesterday there would be €31 million in funds available for distribution in 2004 to the beef sector.
This sum, known as the national envelope, which is paid at the discretion of national governments, is separate from the €824 million that will be spent next year to support beef producers through the various premium schemes.
Mr Walsh said it was the beginning of the last of Ireland's direct payments to beef farmers who will be receiving one single payment in 13 months' time.
In distributing the final national envelope prior to the advent of full decoupling in 2005, the Minister has decided to continue with three support measures already in place. Top-ups will be distributed as follows: €10.5 million to the slaughter premium for beef-bred heifers; €10.5 million for replacement heifers in the suckler cow herd and €10.4 million for dry heifers qualifying for the suckler cow premium up to a maximum of 15 per cent of the number of qualifying animals.
Mr Walsh said his objective with distribution of these funds was to improve the overall quality of the beef-breeding herd.