Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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31. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the latest communication to farmers from his Department on the beef data genomics programme listed the star rating of cows but not their eligibility for the programme; and if he will instruct his officials to include eligibility information in such communications. [7157/18]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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The Department's recent communication on the beef data genomics programme lists the identification numbers and star ratings of cows in the scheme but does not indicate whether they are eligible. The scheme is complicated and involves three and four star designations for cattle and rules that apply to cattle bought into a herd after 2013. Given that the Department has all of the relevant data, it would be simple to include in the communication an additional column indicating that a cow was either eligible or non-eligible, possibly using the abbreviations "E" and "NE". This would simplify the process for farmers who will be required to have a certain number of animals in their herd that are fully eligible or have money clawed back.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To be eligible as a suckler cow or replacement heifer under the beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, the animal must be rated either four or five star, genotyped, at least 16 months old and born in 2013 or later. In respect of BDGP II, the animal must have been born in 2015 or later. All of this information is already shown on the profiles being sent to programme participants. The farmers are also being given a one-page euro star summary of the females in the herd showing the number of reference animals in the herd for BDGP and the percentage that are four or five star. Participants will be required to have at least 20% of their reference number of animals at four or five star by 2020. All of the data being sent are intended to help farmers with their breeding and replacement decisions in the run-up to 2020.

The genotyping carried out on animals since the inception of the beef data and genomics programme in 2015 and male pedigree calves under the beef genomics scheme 2014 enable the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, ICBF, to assign a star rating based on a number of traits, including fertility, milk, easy calving and docility. Evaluations of the animals are undertaken by the ICBF three times a year, with a hard copy of the evaluation reports issuing to all BDGP participants once a year. The evaluations indicate which animals will be eligible to meet the replacement requirements of the BDGP. A text message issues to all participants on the other evaluations advising that they are available online.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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While the Department's communication indicates the star rating of the animals, it does not state whether they are eligible under the scheme. Many farmers, particularly those with large herds, are having difficulty in identifying the category into which their herd falls. The Department has all of the relevant information and only needs to communicate it to farmers.

While the beef data genomics scheme has worked well for some farmers, others are experiencing difficulties with it. We have an opportunity to do more with it. The former suckler cow scheme is often discussed. Would it be possible to improve the BDGP to deliver more value for farmers, for example, by paying them for better husbandry to ensure calves are reared better, rather than focusing solely on breeding? Farmers buying weanlings at marts in my part of the country tell me that they are not as good as they were five, six, seven or ten years ago. The beef data genomics scheme is supposed to be producing better calves, yet many of the farmers at marts state that is not the case. Animal husbandry and the way calves are being reared and weaned are among the reasons for this.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I was at a mart on Saturday last where I watched sales of weanling cattle. I was struck by the high quality of what was being produced, both from the suckler herd and from calf to beef. This was reflected in the number of interested buyers. I accept the Deputy's comments on buyers with whom he has engaged. The beef data genomics programme is an effort to improve the genetic merit of the herd through better fertility, earlier finishing of cattle and so forth, all of which are important.

The BDGP benefits approximately 25,000 farmers, of whom an estimated 800 are below the 20% requirement for four or five star breeding females that must be reached by 2020. This is not an alarming number. The Department, in conjunction with the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation, will hold a series of public meetings to create greater awareness of the obligations under the scheme well in advance of the deadline. No scheme is perfect and communications can always be improved. I am sure the meetings will assist farmers in that regard.

As a direction of travel, the beef data genomics programme has the potential to do on the beef side what the economic breeding index, EBI, has done on the dairy side for many years. It will be a long process which will require an ongoing commitment from the industry to genetic improvement. The programme makes a start and can achieve much more.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I agree that the scheme could achieve much more. The core issue is that it is extremely complex and needs to be simplified for many farmers. Unfortunately, certainly in my part of the country, many farmers find the scheme extremely complex and some are opting out of it for this reason. The Department has an opportunity to engage with farmers to simplify the process. "Simplification" is a buzzword we often hear, even when we visit Brussels, and it would not be hard to simplify the BDGP. All the Department needs to do is indicate to farmers which cows are eligible and not eligible alongside the star ratings. The current system is complex and farmers must try to work it out for themselves. My proposal could be easily implemented.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I take the Deputy's suggestions in the spirit in which they are offered. The pilot meetings envisaged by the Department and direct engagement with farmers at that level will provide an important opportunity to explain the scheme further to individual participants. As I stated, approximately 800 of almost 25,000 participants do not meet the required targets, but they have considerable time in which to do so. The Department will certainly consider at the forthcoming meetings the issue of providing for better communication.