Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
321. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have applied for the 2015 beef data and genomics programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26160/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he expects that all of those who submit applications under the beef data and genomics programme 2015 will be paid by the middle of December 2015, as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26164/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 325 together.
Almost 30,000 applications to participate in the BDGP were received in my Department by the June 5th closing date. To be eligible for payment in this first year of the Programme participants must provide the required survey data, genotype all of the specified animals and send test samples to the laboratory. Data can be provided when calves are five months old so it will be possible that all of these requirements can be met by herds, who had completed all of their 2015 calving by the end of June thereby facilitating payment in December. Further payments will continue to be made as herds meet all Programme requirements.
