Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the new BGS scheme, in respect of which the cost of sampling is supposed to be set at €25, if this may be reduced to €15 in view of the fact that farm incomes have decreased so much in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45415/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I announced the Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) on 15 October in the context of Budget 2014. The operational details are currently being finalised.

Having regard to the overall level of benefit for farmers and the potential productivity gains accruing from participation in the scheme, I am confident that the cost of sampling for the BGS will be reasonable. As with all schemes, its operation will be kept under review once introduced.