Potential cuts to the National Beef Welfare Scheme and National Sheep Welfare Scheme have been averted, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

There were fears that the €25/calf and €5/ewe top-ups which were included in last year’s budget would be cut in this year’s budget.

However the Irish Farmers Journal understands that the two key schemes for beef and sheep farmers will get the same allocation as last year.

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The news will come as a relief to the 24,500 beef farmers and 18,000 sheep farmers who applied to the scheme.

When the top-ups are included, this would bring the full payment on the beef welfare scheme to €75/cow up to 45 cows, and the sheep payment to €13 per ewe, with no limit on ewe numbers. It would allow the current scheme to continue at the same levels.

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