John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 358: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that only 500 sheep farmers out of 35,000 applied to participate in the enhanced genotyping scheme; if she has identified the reason for such a poor uptake; the action she intends to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38102/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The enhanced arrangements for genotyping operated on a voluntary basis during the period between 1 September and 18 November 2005.

The total number of sheep tested over that ten-week period accounted for over a quarter of the total number of sheep tested since the beginning of the NGP programme in May 2004. It was particularly encouraging that the majority of participants in the enhanced programme were non-pedigree flock owners.

One of the main goals of the enhanced programme was to raise awareness, particularly among non-pedigree flock owners, of the benefits of genotyping and to encourage their participation, and I am satisfied this was achieved. I have always made it clear that the enhanced programme was a forerunner to the compulsory breeding programme, which will be introduced early in 2006. My Department is currently finalising the terms of the compulsory programme and is in discussions with representatives of both pedigree and non-pedigree flock owners.