Denis Foley
Question:26 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has initiated to accelerate the development of new beef breeds to ensure the quality of the Irish herd into the future. [3145/97]
Written Answers. - New Beef Breeds.
Síle de Valera
Question:33 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has initiated to ensure the genetic development of the beef herd and its competitiveness. [3137/97]
Seán Doherty
Question:45 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has initiated to ensure the genetic development of the beef herd and its competitiveness. [3138/97]
John Ellis
Question:48 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has initiated to accelerate the development of new beef breeds to ensure the quality of the Irish herd into the future. [3144/97]
John Ellis
Question:60 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has initiated to ensure the genetic development of the beef herd and its competitiveness. [3139/97]
Síle de Valera
Question:61 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has initiated to accelerate the development of new beef breeds to ensure the quality of the Irish herd into the future. [3142/97]
Colm M. Hilliard
Question:63 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has initiated to ensure the genetic development of the beef herd and its competitiveness. [3141/97]
Seán Doherty
Question:64 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has initiated to accelerate the development of new beef breeds to ensure the quality of the Irish herd into the future. [3143/97]
Denis Foley
Question:72 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has initiated to ensure the genetic development of the beef herd and its competitiveness. [3140/97]
Colm M. Hilliard
Question:76 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has initiated to accelerate the development of new beef breeds to ensure the quality of the Irish herd into the future. [3146/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 33, 45, 48, 60, 61, 63, 64, 72 and 76 together.
The range of breeds available in Ireland is adequate to meet the diverse needs of the industry and the marketplace. There is a multiplicity of beef breeds available in Ireland and there is an open policy in regard to the importation of breeds from other countries. In the circumstances I do not consider there is a compelling requirement for the development of new breeds.
The key to future progress lies in the expansion of the national cattle breed improvement programme and an upgrading of the systems for genetic evaluation.
The current national programme for the genetic improvement of the beef herd involves the following components; on-farm recording of weight for age and linear assessment in pedigree beef herds; central performance testing in the tully performance test station selected young pedigree bulls; central progeny testing of bulls in AI for growth and carcase traits and ease of calving; importation of superior genetic material from other countries.
The on-farm recording and central performance testing are carried out by the Department in co-operation with approved breed societies while the progeny testing is carried out directly by the AI organisations under the supervision of the Department. All of the data is analysed by the Department to provide genetic evaluations of potential breeding animals. This programme provides reliable information which enables the selection of breeding stock of reasonably high genetic merit particularly through AI.
Given the increasingly competitive nature of the marketplace for beef and greatly liberalised trading in breeding stock it is recognised that upgrading of the national breeding programme is required.
There is broad agreement on the need for the establishment of an industry led national cattle breeding authority and proposals to bring this about are well advanced. It is envisaged that this authority would put in place expanded recording, testing and genetic evaluation systems to facilitate genetic improvement in the beef herd.
Over £2 million is provided in the measure for the improvement of cattle breeding infrastructures included in the current EU assisted operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry.