Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2017
35. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the 31 May 2017 deadline for completion of works and actions under the knowledge transfer group scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraKnowledge Transfer is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation and administration of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors.
Funding of €100m under the Rural Development Programme has been allocated for this measure which involves Department approved agricultural consultants acting as Knowledge Transfer Facilitators administering groups operating over a three year period.
To date some 20,000 farmers in approximately 1,200 Knowledge Transfer Groups have attended meetings and approved Knowledge Transfer events. These Group meetings will be complemented by a tailored Farm Improvement Plan developed by each farmer in a one on one setting with his Knowledge Transfer Facilitator.
Meetings are managed through the Knowledge Transfer online system. To date over 5,500 of meetings have been held on important topics such as grassland management, farm progression, veterinary health and, farm health and safety.
The Farm Improvement Plan includes animal health measures addressing key issues such as calf health and mortality, biosecurity and fertility which farmers must complete with an approved vet. My Department has developed a dedicated online system for this purpose using herd data from other Department systems supplemented by data from ICBF. This provides the vet with information which, in addition to on-farm appraisal and discussion with the farmer, builds a profile of animal health on the farming enterprise. In turn, this forms the basis for individual advice to the farmer on veterinary health matters.
Development of the dedicated Animal Health Measures system, on which the vet records data and recommendations, is in the final stages with a view to going live shortly. In the interim approved vets have been registering the link with their client farmers on the online system in preparation for recording actions under the Animal Health Measures. My Department has also notified approved vets of the requirements in terms of both data and recommendations, which has enabled them to gather information in preparation for recording such information.
All other components of the Farm Improvement Plan such as breeding plans, eProfit monitor and farm health and safety are completed with the farmer by the approved Knowledge Transfer Facilitator on a one to one basis. My Department has developed a customised online system for recording key data related to these actions as well as recommendations which can enhance profitability and sustainability on the farming enterprise. This system is currently in the concluding stage of development with a view to opening it to facilitators shortly. In preparation, facilitators are currently completing actions, including the one to one discussion with the farmer, for the Farm Improvement Plan. In view of this, my Department currently has no plans to extend the 31 May deadline.
