Mr. Sean Coughlan:

While they do not have to be genotyped, the vast majority are genotyped at this point because in 2013 all of the pedigree bulls were genotyped as part of the registration process. This is the first year of the scheme. The animals will be genotyped at a much younger age in the second and third years of the scheme. The animals that are in the scheme herds that are going through the marts will be genotyped prior to being traded in the marts. In addition, farmers with herds that are not in the scheme who wish to trade animals will be able to avail of the genotyping service, which will allow them to have their animals genotyped prior to sale at marts.