Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2017
29. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons enrolled under the beef data genomics programme; if he will reopen the scheme for new participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 24,473 participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme and these participants have 528,989 reference animals. This scheme builds on the pilot Beef Genomics Scheme in 2014 and is a key component of our national Rural Development programme and our supports for the Irish suckler sector. It is a scheme which I firmly believe will provide a lasting positive impact on the national suckler herd both in terms of genetic gain and environmental sustainability.
The scheme is now firmly established and its benefits are already clearly being seen. Its credibility as a progressive and meaningful scheme for suckler farmers is well known and there are consistent demands for its re-opening as a result of this. I have listened to calls for the reopening of this scheme to new applicants and to that end officials in my Department are currently examining the possibility of this in the context of an assessment of budgetary priorities, the operation of the Rural Development Programme and the potential impact both upon the scheme itself and other schemes.
