Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Charlie McConalogue is seeking money in Budget 2025 in relation to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR).
Sources have indicated that the minister is seeking funding in respect of live exports of calves, where calves have not been tested for IBR.
It is understood that the minister has told his cabinet colleagues responsible for delivering the budget that he is concerned that Irish calf exports could be curtailed without funding in place for an IBR-related measure.
The minister is thought to have flagged the lack of a dedicated IBR testing programme to his government colleagues.
Sources suggest that the minister is confident that funding at some level will be provided for that purpose.
In July, Agriland revealed that calf exports from Ireland to the Netherlands could face strict new rules from January 2026, which could see the trade come to a halt.
A plan entitled ‘Veal Forward’ was presented to the Dutch government during the summer by its House of Representatives, which called on the government to implement the plan.
It includes criteria which must be met in order for Ireland and other EU member states be allowed to export calves to the Netherlands.
These include a stipulation that the exporting country meet requirements on IBR.
The Dutch agriculture industry has a well developed IBR eradication programme with many farms already declared IBR-free.
The Dutch have indicated that sourcing calves from vaccinated herds is not enough, and that countries must have a national eradication programme in place and Ireland does not have such a programme yet.
Budget 2025
Budget 2025 will be announced next Tuesday (October 1), and it is understood that Minister McConalogue is also seeking higher payment rates for suckler and sheep farmers.
Sources say that he is looking to increase the current rate of payment under the Beef Welfare Scheme from €50/calf to €75/calf, for an increase of €25/calf.
It is also understood that the minister wants to increase the rate of payment under the Sheep Welfare Scheme from €20/ewe to €25/ewe.
The minister is also understood to be seeking funding for the tillage sector “as a priority”.