Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will be able to formally open the beef genomics scheme; when application forms will be available; the proposed latest date for applications; the requirements to be fulfilled; the date on which payments will commence in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5807/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The 2015 budget includes a package of approximately €74 million for the beef sector in 2015, including a provision of €52 million for a proposed Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) which will place Ireland at the leading edge globally in the use of genomics in beef production. The proposed BDGP would deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd via the application of genomics technology. This will help farmers to manage their enterprises sustainbly, cognisant of Ireland’s climate change commitments, and will improve the quality of the national suckler herd. It will also cement our place amongst the more progressive beef producing nations in the world.

Subject to the approval of the Rural Development Programme by the EU Commission, farmers will be paid for work carried out in a range of areas related to data recording and animal breeding policies. The actions being considered for the Programme include recording a range of data related to performance criteria and animal events, taking tissue (DNA) samples from selected animals and sending for laboratory testing, completing an on-farm Carbon Navigator, and selecting high quality replacement bulls and heifers over the 6 years of the BDGP contract.

All Rural Development Plans submitted to the European Commission are subject to approval, following a detailed period of analysis and discussion. The Commission has provided observations on the BDGP and my Department has been engaged in intensive discussions to address issues raised and to provide the necessary clarifications. The scheme will be rolled out without delay following approval, with application forms issuing to all eligible farmers. Given that this is a 6 year scheme, with very specific actions spread over the full duration, I can assure the Deputy that these farmers will be given sufficient time to allow them to fully analyse the requirements of the scheme and to submit their applications as appropriate.