Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the gentlemen for appearing before the joint committee to go through this with members and I apologise for arriving a little late. Senator O'Neill has outlined benefits of €20 per star, which certainly is welcome, and I note that 30,000 people are participating in the scheme at present. Many people are stating they might pull out, particularly the smaller farmers, which would be worrying and members should ensure such farmers do not pull out and that the scheme is made somewhat easier. At a meeting last night, the Minister assured members that 50% of farmers already are or almost are where they need to be in 2018 or 2019. This is important because if they are at that point, it takes the star worry out of it.

When will farmers know the star rating on their herd? Speaking personally, I have only one cow in my herd of 24 or 25 cows that is a five-star animal. I have kept daughters from that cow. She is from a dairy herd and is a Belgian Blue from a Friesian cow. When will farmers know the star rating of their herd?

As for the cost of genotyping, it is important, especially in respect of smaller farmers, that the cost be kept as low as possible as one does not wish to have farmers forking out a lot of money. It is desirable to try to keep costs as low as possible and if that cost can be reduced, it will be highly positive. While many of the areas have been covered, I revert to the point made by Deputy Ó Cuív about a five-star bull not being able to survive on the sides of the hills. I am sure one could use a five-star Angus bull and he would survive for a number of months in difficult conditions. Those are my comments for the time being.