Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the genomics scheme will open next year in view of the recent observations on this scheme by the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48282/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is proposed as an EU co-funded scheme which forms part of Ireland's draft Rural Development Programme and will involve a budget of some €300m over a 6-year period. As announced as part of Budget 2015, I have proposed to increase the amount of money available to all farmers within the scheme to €100 a head on the first ten animals.  Further animals in the herd will be paid €80 per head.

Payments will, subject to the approval of the programme by the EU Commission, be paid to farmers for work carried out in a range of areas related to data recording and breeding policies. Among the activities being considered for the programme are:

- recording of a range of data related to performance criteria and animal events,

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

- selecting high quality replacement bulls and heifers over the period of the BDGP contract.

- Completing an on-farm Carbon Navigator

The proposed BDGP is intended to deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology. This will help farmers to manage their enterprises in a sustainable way that is cognisant of Ireland's climate change commitments, while supporting improved quality and traceability in the national suckler herd. The scheme will have a substantial environmental dividend while reducing input costs and contributing to improved margins for farmers. It will also place Ireland at the global forefront in the application of genomics technology and cement our place as one of the most important and export focussed beef producing nations in the world.

All Rural Development Plans submitted to the European Commission are subject to Commission approval following a detailed period of analysis and discussion. The Commission has provided observations on the BDGP and officials from my Department have been engaged in intensive negotiations with the Commission to address these observations and to exchange further information and clarifications as required. This process is ongoing. Subject to the approval of the European Commission, my intention is that The BDGP will open for applications early next year following the conclusion of these discussions.