Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Beef accounts for 35% of the gross output of the agriculture sector. Beef exports in 2014 amounted to 524,000 tonnes, worth €2.27 billion. The suckler herd is a critical component of this industry. The beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, is a response to these challenges and opportunities, and particularly to the challenges associated with improved breeding performance, including for maternal traits such as cow fertility, and the very onerous requirements to reduce the percentage of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions which comes from the agriculture sector. Improving the genetics of the suckler herd can make a positive contribution in both of these areas while also improving the economic viability of suckler farming.

The BDGP provides targeted support to suckler farmers. It builds on the success of the State’s investment of over €9 million in the beef data programme in each of 2013 and 2014 and on the success of the pilot beef genomics scheme, which involved investment of around €23 million last year. The scheme was launched on 5 May last as part of Ireland’s rural development programme, RDP, and involves funding of some €300 million over six years. Scheme participants will receive a payment of €142.50 for the first 6.66 hectares and €120 for each hectare thereafter, up to a maximum payable hectarage. That is the equivalent of about €95 per cow for the first number of animals. In return for this payment, participants will be required to undertake six actions, some of which will be well known to suckler farmers through their participation in previous schemes.

In recent weeks, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation has issued every scheme applicant with detailed reports of the current status of animals in their herds. Participants will receive similar information about the scheme and their individual herd on an ongoing basis. This is in addition to a training programme which will be rolled out over the next 12 months. I have also announced a series of information meetings for participating farmers which will commence next week.

It is clear from the large number of applications received for the BDGP that farmers recognise the benefits this scheme can deliver locally and nationally. Just under 30,000 farmers applied to join the scheme and the number of those who have since exited the scheme, equivalent to about 5% of applicants, is more or less in line with previous suckler-based schemes run by my Department.

The figures as requested are set out in the table which the Deputy will get, if he does not have it. The table outlines per county the number of applicants and the numbers of farmers who have withdrawn. The counties that have the most applicants obviously have the most withdrawals, as one would expect. The predictions some were making that huge numbers would withdraw from the scheme simply have not come true.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

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