With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. About 1 per cent of herdowners, covering 3 per cent of cows, participate in the milk recording scheme. This percentage is low by comparison with other countries and with a view to securing an improvement I recently set up a study group on milk recording to advise on the introduction of a more flexible recording system which would encourage increased participation by herdowners.
The fees payable for milk recording have been increased recently from £3 per herd and £1 per cow to £10 and £2 respectively. These increases were necessary because the receipts from fees represented less than 10 per cent of the overall cost of the scheme. There had been no change in the fees since the scheme was introduced on 1st February, 1972.