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The main benefit of a suckler cow scheme would be to improve the farm incomes of suckler farmers, particularly in western counties from Kerry to Donegal.
Most suckler farms are small in nature and many are part-time.
However, the additional income generated by these farms contribute far more than can be measured.
They bring increased economic and social activity in rural areas outside the capital city, large cities and suburban areas of greater Dublin.
A comprehensive suckler cow scheme would help to retain a vibrant rural economy, through increased economic activity generated by full- and part-time suckler farmers.
Local shops and post offices, bars and restaurants, agricultural retailers and merchants, haulage companies, fuel suppliers, livestock marts, etc, schools and communities all benefit from the economic activity generated by the suckler farmers in their local area.
Balance
The scheme would help avoid potential land abandonment and social isolation in rural areas by securing a decent income for suckler farmers to remain in western counties.
This could counter-balance the growth in population along the eastern seaboard and in the capital city.
Suckler cow numbers are falling and this is backed up by evidence of reduced cattle numbers in the western marts since the beginning of the year.
This has a knock-on consequential effect for the many small towns and villages that depend on mart days for increased business activity.
This trend is continuing, with 36,276 less beef calf births to date in 2018 compared with the same period in 2017. That's a drop of 4.5% year to date.
The resultant job losses in either mart premises or in the local restaurants, shops and businesses would have a devastating effect on these towns and villages. This would further result in young people moving eastward in search of jobs and a decent standard of living.
Incomes
As we approach the self-employed income tax return deadline, it should be borne in mind that much of an increased suckler cow scheme payment will, in fact, make its way back into Government revenue.
This would be through the income tax system and through VAT, PAYE, etc, that will result from the increase in economic activity generated.
A suckler cow support scheme payment of €200 per cow would help stabilise suckler cow numbers, generate economic activity in rural areas, support jobs in small towns and villages, help retain population numbers in western counties and ensure farms are financially and environmentally viable into the future.
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