ICSA Criticizes Cuts to Farmer Payment Rates
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has strongly opposed upcoming reductions in payment rates for beef and sheep farmer welfare schemes.
Department Announces Rate Reductions
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine informed the ICSA that payments for the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) will be lowered due to oversubscription in both programs.
ICSA's Response
"This is deeply unfair and counterproductive, particularly after farmers were encouraged to invest in animal welfare improvements."
ICSA president Sean McNamara expressed frustration:
"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."
Details of the Payment Cuts
- For 2025, NBWS payments will decrease from €75 per calf to €67 per calf.
- NSWS payments will drop from €13 per ewe to €11.50 per ewe.
Specific Adjustments in the Beef Scheme
The reductions are expected mainly in two optional action categories within the beef scheme:
- Vaccination against clostridial diseases or calf pneumonia, originally paying €15 per calf.
- Faecal egg testing or forage sampling, which would have paid €25 per calf.
The mandatory meal feeding action will maintain its payment rate of €35 per calf, capped at 45 eligible calves.
Author's Summary
The ICSA condemns payment cuts that penalize farmers’ welfare efforts, undermining trust and discouraging improved animal care initiatives.