Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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317. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the proposal to reduce the amount of sheep research being carried out by Teagasc in Athenry, County Galway, particularly as this is the only centre in the country where Teagasc carry out research on sheep; if he has discussed this matter with Teagasc and raised concerns regarding their proposals with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48190/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc operate as a separate state agency under the Department’s aegis and decisions relating to the operation of their research centres are operational matters for the Teagasc Authority. The Authority is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the agri-food sector including the farming organisations. The Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, is part of the Teagasc ‘Animal & Grassland’ research programme. Its mission is to produce high quality ‘animal science research’ to increase the profitability and competitiveness of Irish animal production systems. In relation to the sheep sector, Athenry plays a key role in developing competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of sheep production. The sheep research demonstration farm at Athenry places particular emphasis on developing profitable ‘grass-based systems’ of sheep production so as to capitalize on Ireland’s natural competitive advantage in grass production.

Following stakeholder representations over a number of years, Teagasc proposes to establish a ‘suckler’ demonstration farm in Athenry to serve farmers in the West of Ireland. The project is modelled on the well known Greenfield dairy demonstration farm in Kilkenny, which annually attracts large numbers of farmers and discussion groups. The Greenfield model is very highly regarded, and provides a public good demonstration service to all farmers in the dairy sector. It is envisaged that the Athenry suckler project would operate along similar lines with the aim of demonstrating to farmers, the profit that can be obtained from a well run suckler beef farm.

I understand that Teagasc intends to establish the suckler demonstration farm on rented land in Athenry. The existing sheep research programme will continue unaffected on lands that Teagasc own in Athenry. My Department has only recently been approached by Teagasc to see if some Department owned land in Athenry could be made available for the suckler demonstration farm and this matter is currently under examination.

I appreciate the important contribution that the Athenry research station makes to the development and evaluation of research relevant to the sheep sector. Teagasc is satisfied that a suckler demonstration farm can be established in Athenry on adjacent rented lands without impacting on the existing sheep research programme.