Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
554. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU and Exchequer funding provision for the beef data and genomics scheme in 2015; the number of applications received; the number of applications withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32155/15]
View answerThe closing date for the Beef Data & Genomics Programme was 05 June 2015 and my Department received 29,531 valid applications for the programme. As of yesterday, 724 applicants have subsequently withdrawn from the Programme which amounts to less than 3% of all valid applications.
The Deputy will be aware that I have provided a package worth over €70 million for the beef sector in 2015. This includes €52 million for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) which forms part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, and will involve a budget of some €300m over a six year period. The BDGP is intended to improve the quality of the national suckler herd and deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology.
The BDGP builds upon the large investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in recent years, and will ultimately bring about fundamental and strategic improvements to the entire sector by substantially improving the overall genetic quality of the Irish beef herd. It represents a major vote of confidence in the beef sector from this government and the initial participation figures are very positive. Implementation of the scheme is now well underway and my Department and the ICBF are working closely with the scheme participants on the various requirements.
