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Beef Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Questions (170)

John Browne

Question:

170. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been taken in 2013 and will be taken in 2014 by his Department to support and encourage breeders of Kerry cattle to secure the survival of the breed, which is under threat of extinction due to declining numbers of pedigree cows and cross-breeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12331/14]

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Written answers

My Department is aware of the importance of conserving and maintaining the genetic resources which are native to Ireland and as a result has put in place a number of measures to assist the keepers of rare and native breeds, including Kerry Cattle.

My Department has given support to breeders of these breeds through a range of different schemes. The main support mechanism in 2013 and 2014 for keepers of rare and native breeds is the rare breeds option under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme and the Agricultural Environment Options Scheme involving a payment of €200/livestock unit. My Department is currently preparing a new agri-environmental scheme as part of the Rural Development Programme which will commence in 2015.

In addition, under the Kerry Calf Grant Scheme, a payment per live calf is payable to keepers of Kerry Cattle (€66.18 in 2013). The Kerry Cattle breed is the sole recipient of a grant of this nature at present. Furthermore, under the Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Grant Scheme a total of €70,303 was provided between the years 1997 to 2012 for various research projects in relation to the conservation of the Kerry cattle breed.

The following table details the years and amounts of funding to the Kerry Cattle Society under Genetic Resources Grant Aid Scheme:

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2008

2009

2012

€6,984

€3,174

€10,158

€1,270

€4,444

€13,736

€7,500

€1,000

€2,705

€1,458

€4,674

€5,000

€8,200

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