Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
160. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he is apparently complicit in a private arrangement between organisations (details supplied) regarding the four-movement rule by allowing Department-funded electronic boards in marts to display information which could devalue animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9873/19]
View answerLivestock marts play a critical role in the trade of animals in Ireland and it is essential that purchasers have the most up to date information to inform their buying decisions.
In May 2016 I launched the Mart Modernisation Grant Scheme which provided €300,000 in funding for new ringside display screens at marts to view the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) star ratings for beef breeding stock. The scheme was introduced to assist farmers in the purchase of breeding stock for participation in the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) to ensure compliance with the 4 & 5 star breeding requirements of the Programme.
The development of the 4-movement rule is a commercial matter in which neither I nor my Department have any role. However, I understand that the display of this type of information predates the introduction of this scheme in 2016.
