Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----to explain the beef data and genomics scheme from which many farmers have withdrawn in recent times. This is very important for the quality of beef output in the country. Many fine farmers feel the scheme is not worth the trouble or they do not buy into it because they have not found themselves in agreement that this is important in terms of improving the quality of beef outputs. Many farmers look at finishing traits but they do not necessarily take into account the traits of the mother and other factors in cattle breeding. That is most important if we are to have a long-term development in the quality of beef output. It took many years to achieve that in the dairy sector and perhaps the Department is trying to achieve it in a very short period in the beef industry. It would be good if the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine were to come to the House to discuss this important programme and we wish to hear how it is progressing, why the Government believes farmers have been pulling out of it, and what the Government intends to do about that.