Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the new beef technology adoption programme was devised; when was the contract for it tendered; the number of applications for tender he received; when is the contract up for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15541/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of an effective discussion group model similar to that successfully employed in the dairy sector was a key recommendations of the report of the industry-led Beef 2020 Activation Group which was set up to advise on the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) giving effect to this recommendation was devised following extensive consultation and in collaboration with all industry stakeholders. The purpose of the Programme is to address the significant challenges to farm-level profitability by providing a financial stimulus that will encourage participants to improve the technical efficiency of their beef enterprises by focusing on the key profit drivers (such as breeding, animal health, financial and grassland management) thereby growing the overall output value of the beef sector.

In common with other measures supporting primary agricultural production, the BTAP will be administered and managed by my Department. The Programme will be delivered directly by my Department utilising facilitation services provided by Teagasc and private consultants. The BTAP is open to all applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and independent operators are free to act as facilitators provided that they hold a B. Agr. Sc. degree (Level 8), or equivalent, and have engaged in the relevant FETAC-accredited training in facilitation. My Department does not have a contract either with the applicants or with the facilitators, who are paid directly by the applicants. My intention is that the Programme will run over 3 years subject to funding and that it will be subject to ongoing review over that period to ensure that it is meeting its objectives.