Following a meeting with the National Beef Federation on Monday, France's Agriculture Minister Stéphane Le Foll made a fresh €2 million available to cut the social contributions bills of the country's most cash-strapped of beef farmers.

The funds will be added to €3.5 million already earmarked for suckler farmers by the social insurance administration last month. French social contributions are similar to PRSI and USC in Ireland, but those charges are higher in France.

The French government had already introduced property tax breaks for farmers in December. All emergency tax breaks are granted on a case-by-case basis to the most fragile farmers.

The minister promised to maintain "the government's mobilisation in support of suckler beef farming, which is particulary hit by cash-flow difficulties".

Finished R3 steers currently fetch an average of €3.76/kg in France, and prices have been consistently low for the past year. The National Beef Federation argues that actual prices are lower, with factories allegedly doctoring the statistics sent to the department. The minister has ordered an investigation into the issue.

The additional aid comes after France opened applications in March for its coupled beef schemes under the new CAP. French farmers can currently apply for a payment of €180 per cow for the first 50 cows, €135 for the next 50 and €72 for the next 39.

France gives an extra premium of €37 per calf for suckler veal, doubled to €74 for organic and qualiy-assured production.