Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I thank the representatives of the ICBF for their informative presentation. A previous presentation to the committee raised many questions about the beef data genomics scheme and how the cattle breeds are affected by the scheme and treated under it. To give an analogy, it is like cross-breeding Holsteins, the major milk breed, with the Jersey breed. While the enhanced vegetation index, EVI, would increase significantly, would we have the animal we are seeking at the end of the process? We had that debate in the dairy industry and there are extreme views on both sides. While we have brought Jersey cattle into the dairy industry, has the breed caught on to the extent we would have anticipated based on the projected gains? In other words, if farmers had made decisions based on the figures, they would all have cross-bred Holstein with Jersey cattle. Instead, they stepped back from doing so. If anything, there has been a slight decline in cross-breeding because farmers wanted a calf or a cull cow; they wanted to have a solid animal. Is the issue with the Irish Charolais Cattle Society that if the breed being promoted were to achieve a five-star rating, it would erode to some degree the classic Charolais animal and it would not have an opportunity to achieve the five-star rating because it would not have the same genetic potential in terms of fertility, milk production and whatever else is required to achieve a higher star rating? We have gone through that debate on the dairy side and many farmers stepped back. We expected the New Zealand Jersey cross to become the normal dairy cow in Ireland but that has not occurred because farmers stepped back. Will the exact same scenario arise with the Charolais breed? Do the Charolais breeders have to make a decision either to cross-breed Charolais cattle to achieve a higher star rating or step out of the scheme?

There is a real dilemma associated with how the scheme fits in with the data the delegates are coming up with and how it is coming out the other end. It is a classic dilemma that we faced in the dairy industry perhaps ten years ago. Where do the witnesses believe the Charolais breed will go if the stars are followed down? Will there be a five-star Charolais with the confirmation we have at the moment? Will the normal Charolais herd have that confirmation? That is probably one of the big dilemmas for me.

With regard to the star rating of bulls dropping, and the associated genomics programme, we have seen very wide variations in bulls across major breeds over recent years. There were bulls very high up the index one year and not even on it the next year. Are the delegates happy with the genomics system? We are told it is the ultimate way to increase the genetic output and potential of our herd, but we have been let down in many ways by certain bulls, be they for the dairy sector or beef sector. They were very high up the list and were not even on it on the next occasion. It is bizarre.

In many discussion groups, farmers are talking about going back to proven dams, stepping away from the scheme and asking whether they are taking a risk or gambling too much. They are asking whether they should go back to the proven dam scenario. What is the witnesses' view on genomics and the proven dam scenario? Do they still promote opting for the higher-rated bulls that are not proven, or do they believe we should be sticking to a proven bull because of the serious questions being asked?

Regarding the directors on the board and the make-up of the board, the witnesses might elaborate. Who has the shareholding and how does the election happen? It is something I am not aware of and on which I just need information.