Beef Data Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016

Thursday, 21 July 2016

Ceisteanna (739)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

739. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied to join the beef data and genomics programme in each year since the programme commenced; the number of these who have informed his Department that they wish to leave the programme; the number of farmers of the remainder who have failed to furnish any genomic testing results to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The BDGP was launched in 2015 and 29,862 applications were received. Some 4,851 herds have since withdrawn from the BDGP. A further 1,172 herds have not submitted any genomic samples in respect of the 2015 scheme year. These applicants have been contacted reminding them of the requirement to submit genotyping samples.