Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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3. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants enrolled under the beef data genomics programme; if he will immediately reopen the scheme for new participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12574/17]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This is to ask the Minister the number of participants enrolled in the beef data and genomics programme and if he will immediately reopen the scheme to new participants and make a statement on the matter.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently just under 24,500 participants in the beef data and genomics programme, BDGP. This scheme builds on the previous nationally funded pilot beef genomics scheme 2014 and can provide a lasting positive impact on the national suckler herd both in terms of genetic gain and environmental sustainability.

The scheme is now firmly established and its benefits are already clearly being seen. Its credibility as a progressive and meaningful scheme for suckler farmers is well known and there are consistent demands for reopening it in respect of new applicants as a result of this. This is being examined in the context of an assessment of budgetary availability, the operation of the rural development programme and the potential impact on this and other schemes.

The calls to reopen the scheme are very much a positive reflection on the experience of those who are currently participating in the scheme. The scheme, combined with other measures introduced by my Department - such as the mart modernisation scheme - has concentrated the minds of suckler farmers on the genetic quality of their herds. When making breeding decisions for their beef herds, commercial farmers are doing so based on both economic and scientific data, which is easily accessible to them when purchasing replacement stock using Eurostar data displayed clearly at mart ringsides. This is an example of two Department schemes complimenting one another in a positive manner. The BDGP is an important factor in driving continued efficiencies in Irish suckler production.

The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland's rural economy and the provision of support for it is critically important. The range of supports as currently configured represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. It is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future.

I have recently returned from a successful trade mission to the Middle East where I again saw at first hand the high esteem in which Irish beef is held by consumers for its taste, animal welfare standards and environmentally-sound production systems. The reputation of Irish beef as a premium sustainable product was one of the key factors in gaining enhanced market access in Saudi Arabia The BDGP aims to reinforce these vital qualities by further enhancing our production to be at the forefront of Irish and international efforts to tackle climate change. The benefits that this scheme will bring to the Irish suckler herd are cumulative and permanent and are an essential element of the future sustainability of producing beef from our suckler herd.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister's response is not satisfactory, particularly in view of the pressure on the beef industry and our suckler cow herd and the fact that two or three months from now we will be half way through this Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, funding programme. As yet, the beef data and genomics programme is not at the capacity which was outlined. There are only 24,500 farmers in it, although the Government committed to having 35,000. I asked the Minister if he would reopen the programme and ensure it goes up to the capacity in that commitment but unfortunately he is not giving a clear response. It is absolutely crucial that our beef sector is supported. This is a key measure for it. The minimum the Minister needs to do is reopen it immediately. We need increased payments to support our suckler herds and ensure that farmers stay in the programme. For example, replies to parliamentary questions indicate that the Minister could increase the payment under the current programme to €200 on the first 20 cows for a sum of €40 million. We need the Minister to be open to measures like that otherwise our beef sector will go down.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Some farmers want to pay to get out of it.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is somewhat reassuring to find that a scheme which, in its early days, was the subject of much criticism, not least from those in certain quarters on the other side of the House, is now one that all quarters are anxious to have because they recognise its merit and want to have it extended further.

I am constrained in respect of the beef data and genomics scheme by the funding available under the rural development programme. Of course, that fact is contrary to the myths Deputy McConalogue has been pedalling, in this Chamber and elsewhere, to the effect that there is a crock of gold out there that we just do not want to spend. We are engaged in a very extensive review of expenditure commitments under the rural development programme but there is extremely limited, if any, room available for manoeuvre. I am conducting that review and it will be an interesting challenge for Deputy McConalogue to nail his colours to the mast and say, given what limited space is available, how he would propose to manoeuvre within it. He talks about €200 support for a suckler cow but has never said whether that is to be a top-line cut in basic payments for every farmer, whether it is Pillar 1, Pillar 2 or Exchequer funding. The beef data and genomics programme is funded under the rural development programme. As already stated, I am conducting a review on the overall scope available to see if there is latitude to open the scheme at a later stage.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister unfortunately does not seem open to the idea of properly supporting our suckler and beef herd in the way required to ensure that it is sustained. He should know, as I and many others do, that across the country the suckler herd is depleting and people are considering getting out of it. Teagasc indicates that it is between €4 and €4.50 to break even. Beef is being sold for considerably less than that at present and this is not sustainable.

Will the Minister give a commitment to reopen the beef data genomic programme? The Minister asks me what proposal I would make but he should live up to the commitment he and this Government gave on how the rural development programme would be funded and the extent to which it would be funded.

He committed to provide €52 million per annum for the beef data genomics programme, but we are well under that at the moment. We have been well below our targets in this regard in recent years. A similar situation applies across the rest of the rural development programme. Whether they like it or not, I will continue to hold the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, to account to ensure they spend the money the Government has committed to spend - no more and, in particular, no less. There is capacity for the immediate reopening of this programme and for looking at how the unspent commitment which has been built up so far can be delivered to farmers within the programme period that was promised.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I have previously given a commitment to spend every brown cent that is available from the European Commission under the rural development programme. My predecessors of all hues have been in a position to honour similar commitments.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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What about the spending the Government has committed to domestically?

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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We will not leave a brown cent unspent under the rural development programme. As I said in my initial reply, I am considering the latitude that might be available to reopen the beef data genomics programme. I accept that the beef sector is having a particularly difficult period. That is why we are taking a multifaceted approach that involves live export opportunities, calf export opportunities, new market access and the €150 million loans fund. One of the initiatives we are undertaking involves re-examining the scope for new entrants into the beef data genomics programme within the rural development programme.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I repeat that the Minister needs to live up to his commitment in relation to the beef data genomics programme. I remind him that the Government has committed to provide €52 million per annum. It is simply not spending that money. Will the Minister provide a timeline for when he will be able to indicate whether this programme will reopen? If it is to reopen, it is crucial that the provision to the beef sector of this minimal but necessary support is not delayed any further.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I do not have anything to add to the points I have already made. As I have outlined, I am considering the latitude that might be available under the rural development programme for further expenditure under the beef data genomics programme. Existing commitments mean that the latitude which is available, if any, is not of the scale suggested by Deputy McConalogue. If the Deputy is suggesting that a full commitment of funding for the beef data genomics programme under the rural development programme should be done at the expense of other schemes we are already committed to funding, he needs to be honest with people and say what those schemes are.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister needs to spend the money he promised he would spend on the beef data genomics programme.