Cuts to payment rates under the national beef and sheep welfare schemes have been described as deeply unfair and counterproductive by Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Seán McNamara.

“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,” he said.

Payment rates for 2025 are being cut from €75/calf to €67/calf in the National Beef Welfare Scheme and from €13/ewe to €11.50/ewe in the National Sheep Welfare Scheme due to both schemes being oversubscribed.

“Oversubscription should trigger extra support, not cuts. If more farmers are prioritising animal welfare, that’s a success story.

"Instead, a funding gap means farmers are being short-changed. Payment rates should be moving up not down, especially when costs are rising and inflation continues to bite,” he said.

Best practice

He said that these cuts will directly impact essential animal health measures such as vaccination and faecal egg count testing.

“These schemes are designed to promote best practice in herd and flock health. Cutting payments linked to those measures makes no sense whatsoever and risks farmers stepping back from vital improvements.

“Adding insult to injury, Budget 2026 failed to increase allocations for these schemes, putting farmers at risk of further payment cuts next year if the shortfall is not addressed.

"Minister Heydon must urgently top-up current funding and increase 2026 allocations to protect the promised maximum payment rates,” he said.