Mr. Sean Coughlan:

For example, the Deputy mentioned the breed societies. On 21 July, we had an extensive meeting with the representatives of the breed societies, where we went through all the changes. Dr. Crossan was at that meeting, as were Professor Donagh Berry and Dr. Ross Evans.

We had an extensive and robust meeting, with a lot of discussion. Minutes were circulated afterwards and a number of questions were outlined in those minutes, which were answered, but I did not hear anything after the meeting about it.

One of the challenges the ICBF has, and it is also one of the benefits it has, is that no breed society is going to sign off on or be happy about changes that are going to impact on the breed or some members of it. Our remit is the national suckler population, comprising 50,000-odd suckler cows and 850 suckler cows. That is the remit around taking those forward. On the point about carbon and climate, we have a very good story to tell. I was saying earlier we have managed to increase both our carcase rates and our confirmation rate from the suckler herd, and we have reduced the age at finishing by 100 days. That is a really positive story that is not being told in the context of the green and carbon credentials of this. Part of the challenge relates to the fact no breed society that is going to be impacted by this is going to agree. It is not possible for that to happen.