Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2015
118. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who currently have applications lodged for the beef data and genomics programme; the way a potential surplus in funding, due to a lower than expected number of applicants, will be used to benefit farmers, should the number of farmers registered fall below the expected figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24431/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide assurances that the systems of assessment, which are integral to the operational success of the beef data and genomics programme, will be able to efficiently process results in a timely manner, due to the impending pressure of catering for 25,000 to 30,000 farmers, in view of the fact that in 2014 significant numbers of farmers reported that they had to wait up to six months for these results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 123 together.
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) Programme forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and allocates funding of some €300 million over the next six years to suckler farmers in Ireland. The BDGP builds on the large strategic investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in recent years, and will ultimately bring about fundamental improvements to the entire sector by substantially improving the genetic quality of the national beef herd.
The BDGP was launched on 5 May and my Department received almost 30,000 applications by the extended closing date of 5 June. While analysis of the applications is still ongoing, the initial figures suggest that the programme is fully subscribed and that there will not be a surplus in the Programme’s budget. Of course, should any surplus arise, I will examine the potential to re-open the scheme in 2016 for new applicants.
The number of applications, and subsequently the number of herd owners involved in the programme, is broadly comparable to the numbers with which my Department and the ICBF engaged with as part of both the Beef Genomics Scheme and Beef Data Programme last year. The experience garnered in operating these schemes demonstrates the capability to provide an efficient and effective service. While there are extra elements to the BDGP which will require additional processing resources, I am satisfied that adequate provision has been made to deliver an efficient service to scheme participants, including as regards genomic evaluations.
Finally, I should also note that the 2014 pilot Beef Genomic Scheme provides the research base for which genomic evaluations can be provided to BDGP participants in the coming years. Evaluations could not be provided to participants until this initial and time consuming research had been completed. As a result of this research, made possible by the investment undertaken in 2014, I am happy to note that evaluations will shortly be issuing to scheme participants from the 2014 scheme and that participants under the BDGP will receive evaluations in a regular and timely fashion in the coming months and years.
