2705. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of herds and cows in Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in each of the years 2023 to 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61480/26]

2706. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in each of the years 2023 to 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61479/26]

2707. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have opted to withdraw themselves from the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in each of the years 2023 to 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61477/26]

2708. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have been removed from the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in each of the years 2023 to 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61476/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2705, 2706, 2707 and 2708 together.

The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.

As of 19 August 2026, the number of farmers eligible to receive a payment together with the number of suckler cows supported in each of the scheme years 2023 – 2025 inclusive is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1

* The number of herds eligible for 2026 scheme year will reduce as the scheme year progresses due to (a) removal as a result of failure to comply with scheme eligibility requirements (b) withdrawal by participants and (c) a small number of herds each year are not eligible for payment due to failing to declare 80% SCEP eligible land on their BISS application but remain in the scheme, albeit receive no payment for that scheme year.

In terms of withdrawals from SCEP, as of 19 August 2026, a total of 1,409 participants have sought to be withdrawn from SCEP. The percentage of these withdrawals per year is set out in table 2 below.

Table 2

The high number of withdrawals in the first year is normal and expected and part of a normal pattern of applications seen under preceding schemes such as BDGP, where some applications are speculative in nature. Specifically regarding SCEP, withdrawals in the first year (69%) largely related to farmers applying for SCEP, but deciding not to follow through and sign up to the Bord Bia SBLAS requirement which was an eligibility requirement.

In terms of removals from SCEP; as of 19 August 2026, a total of 3,663 participants have been removed from SCEP for failing to comply with the eligibility requirements of the scheme. The percentage of these removals per year is set out in table 3 below. The highest number was in the first year which like with withdrawals in table 2 indicates that many SCEP applications were speculative in nature.

Table 3

* 2026 figures are in respect of eligibility checks carried out to date. Further eligibility checks will be undertaken as the year progresses.