Beef Data Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Ceisteanna (432)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

432. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active participants in the beef data and genomics scheme; the number of farmers who have submitted samples; the number of these who have submitted all their samples; the number of animals involved; the number of applicants who have submitted their survey forms by post and online; the latest date for submitting samples and surveys to ensure payment in 2015 under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37786/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are 27,378 active participants in the 2015 Beef Data and Genomics Programme. Of the active participants 18,121 applicants have returned some tissue samples of which 15,983 herds have returned all required samples. This amounts to 208,995 genotyping samples submitted to the laboratory for testing.

A total of 14,470 applicants have submitted their survey forms by post and a further 3,935 applicants have completed their surveys online – therefore an overall total of 18, 405 participants have submitted survey data.

Payments will commence in mid-December to applicants who have returned their samples and survey forms. Applicants who have met these requirements will be paid in the first tranche of payments in mid December. Payments will be made on an ongoing basis thereafter as herds become eligible.