Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Beef Data Programme

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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222. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide funding of €52 million of the beef data and genomic scheme to support the suckler sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35932/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Beef Data and Genomics Programme has been developed as part of the draft Rural Development Plan submitted to the European Commission in July of 2014. It is currently the subject of discussion with the European Commission whose agreement is required to before the scheme and the RDP can come into force. The proposed Beef Data and Genomics Programme is intended to deliver an accelerated improvement in the quality and environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology. This will help farmers to maximise productivity in a sustainable way, while supporting improved quality and traceability in the national suckler herd, as set out under the Food Harvest 2020 strategy.

The programme will provide support to farmers to take samples for genotyping from selected animals in their herds and to provide vital breeding data to support the development of a national cattle breeding databank. The data will provide farmers with the tools to select higher quality and more efficient breeding replacements through the use of cutting edge genomic technology. The data will allow the farmer to target animals based on ease of calving, high weight gain thereafter, and animals that can be finished earlier. The scheme will have a substantial environmental dividend while improving productivity, reducing input costs and improving margins for farmers.

In addition, data gained from the implementation of genomic selection in Irish dairy cattle since 2009 shows that genomic selection could increase genetic gain by up to 50%; this is dependent on good accuracy of selection for which the main requirement is individual animal performance data on a very large number of animals of known parentage.

Payments will, subject to the approval of the programme by the EU Commission, be paid to farmers for work carried out, including the development of a herd breeding plan, training and transaction costs. Among the activities being considered for the programme are the:

- recording of animal events;

- recording of a range of performance criteria;

- taking and sending for laboratory testing tissue (DNA) samples from selected animals; and

- selection of high quality replacement bulls and heifers over the period of their BDGP contract;

- Completion of an on-farm Carbon Navigator.

A budget of €295 million has been allocated in the draft proposal sent to the Commission. Officials in my Department are currently in discussions with the EU Commission on the final details of the programme.

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