Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a certain amount of distrust in the farming community regarding this matter on the basis that it has been run out. The federation is trying to move on the genetics of the herd quite quickly. This is taking away farmers' old-style belief in being able to tell by eye how good an animal is. Moving from this approach to science results in some distrust. Is there any independent body over the federation that can verify its approach is correct? An independent body could stand over the approach and say all is good with it.

Can a five-star or four-star crossbred animal born into the herd be used as a sire and not be purebred at all? If so, is the farmer not taking a huge risk with the next progeny? I refer to circumstances where the bull is crossbred even before starting.