Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will postpone the mandatory euro-star index system stipulation of the beef data and genomics programme for five years, and instead implement this aspect of the programme as a more lenient guideline for the next five years, with a view to full implementation, as originally intended, in the year 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24428/15]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the beef data and genomics programme by making 2014 and 2015 referral years, in order to afford farmers a more realistic opportunity of inclusion in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24429/15]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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117. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the euro-star index rating of the beef data and genomics programme from 60% to 40% for the next five years, with a view to possibly reverting to the higher percentage of 60% by year 2020, if necessary, to afford farmers a more realistic opportunity to comply with the regulations, as currently outlined in the Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24430/15]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a guarantee that the beef data and genomics programme will not lead to inbreeding over the impending duration of the programme, in view of strong reports that there are not enough bulls with a four or five star rating within the artificial insemination system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24432/15]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the beef data and genomics programme to stipulate that each year over the next five years be considered a rolling year for the purpose of assessing the relevant statistics and information accumulated during this period, on its own merit, on a yearly basis, replacing the current five-year assessment stipulation, as proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24435/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 117, inclusive, 119 and 122 together.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was launched on 5 May and my Department received almost 30,000 applications by the extended closing date of 5 June. The Programme forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) and allocates funding of some €300 million over the next six years to suckler farmers in Ireland. The BDGP builds on the large strategic investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in recent years, and will ultimately bring about fundamental improvements to the entire sector by substantially improving the genetic quality of the national beef herd.

While the BDGP is an area based payment, the area upon which payment is made is based on the number of suckler cows calving in the herd in 2014. It is not possible to have a “rolling reference year” that changes continuously due to the European Commission requirement for a stable payment and, furthermore, a scheme under the RDP could not provide an incentive to increase stock numbers. Selecting 2014 also adds a measure of administrative simplicity for farmers that will facilitate early payments under the scheme.

Nonetheless, the provisions allow the use of 2015 as an alternative basis for new entrants, young farmers and if force majeureor other circumstances had an adverse impact on stocking levels in 2014. The use of 2015 as a base year will be decided upon request from individual farmers and on a case by case basis. In addition, 2015 can also be used by farmers that reduce their herd in 2015 and would otherwise be ineligible due to the reduction in herd or farm size between 2014 and 2015.

The BDGP builds on the schemes operated by my Department in recent years and most of the actions will already be familiar to the majority of farmers entering the scheme, including the data recording elements and the genotyping requirements. The replacement strategy is one of the main new elements of the BDGP over and above existing schemes for the suckler beef sector. The need for genetic improvement in the Irish suckler herd is widely acknowledged, and the adoption of genomic technology is a critically important tool in increasing production efficiency and ultimately farmer margins. The requirement for farmers to move towards using 4 and 5 star rated stock bulls and heifers is essential to the programmes objectives. Furthermore, any adjustment to these provisions would require engagement with the Commission and would jeopardise the operation of the programme.

In addition, I should note that many farmers are already well on the way to meeting the requirement for 4 and 5 star animals. Analysis undertaken by ICBF of the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme has indicated that some 30% of herds are already compliant with the requirement for female animals in 2020 i.e. that the number of 4 and 5 star heifers are equal to 50% of the reference animals on each farm. Furthermore, 52% are already compliant with the 2018 requirement. All farmers will receive comprehensive training, and ongoing information and advice to assist them in introducing the required breeding strategy. I am also aware that these requirements will take time to introduce which is why there is a 5 year lead-in time included in the design of the programme.

In relation to the stock bull replacement requirement, I do not consider there to be any risk of inbreeding as a result of the requirements of this scheme. The majority of stock bulls on existing scheme herds are already 4 or 5 stars. There is also a very wide range of AI bulls available for pedigree beef breeding that are 4 or 5 stars on either the replacement or terminal index. For example, the ICBF recently completed a listing of recommended sires for bull breeders involved in the Gene Ireland maternal beef breeding program. In total there are 164 bulls in that catalogue, 151 (92%) of which are 4 or 5 stars on either the replacement or terminal index within or across breeds.

For imported bulls, the ICBF assigns a rating based on the data available for each bull at that time. The approach used to assigning this rating is in line with that used for all other bulls under the EuroStar rating system. The fact that 20% of the AI used can come from other types of bulls also gives scope for pedigree breeders that wish to use some outcross sires as part of the Programme or for commercial herds wishing to use AI from bulls which are not 4 or 5 stars.

As regards genotyping, the number of animals to be genotyped each year will be equal to 60% of the number of calved suckler cows that the applicant had on his/her holding in 2014 – known as the applicant’s “reference animals”. The number of “reference animals” will be advised to applicants upon acceptance into the scheme. For example, an applicant with 15 reference animals in 2014 must have sufficient animals to genotype 9 cows/heifers/calves/stock bulls, in each year of the programme, without repetition.

The 60% of the herd that will be genotyped each year represents an increase compared to the 15% under the 2014 Beef Genomic Scheme, however the percentage of the overall payment related to genotyping is broadly the same under both schemes. The 15% genotyping in 2014 was undertaken to develop the training population for genomic which provides the platform for the more widespread application of genomics and higher level of genotyping now made possible under the BDGP.

The 60% genotyping requirement reflects the need to genotype a high percentage of female calves at birth within scheme herds and to genotype female animals introduced from non-scheme herds so that sufficient 4 and 5 star animals can be identified. The 60% requirement will also include pedigree males and cows for ongoing research and knowledge development. This increased level of genotyping improves the reliability of the breeding indexes and, importantly, ensures the identification of sufficient numbers of 4 & 5 star females required by BDGP herds. In addition, and given that the payment is based on cost incurred and income foregone, any reduction in the level of genotyping would result in a reduction in the payment to the participant farmer to reflect the lower level of genotyping.

Finally, I would like to add that participants in the BDGP will receive advice and guidance on an ongoing basis to assist them in meeting the requirements of the programme. The BDGP, like all RDP Schemes, will be subject to mid-term review. If aspects of the scheme can be improved in the future, I will seek to address these issues in consultation with the EU Commission in a manner consistent with the relevant regulation.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who currently have applications lodged for the beef data and genomics programme; the way a potential surplus in funding, due to a lower than expected number of applicants, will be used to benefit farmers, should the number of farmers registered fall below the expected figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24431/15]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide assurances that the systems of assessment, which are integral to the operational success of the beef data and genomics programme, will be able to efficiently process results in a timely manner, due to the impending pressure of catering for 25,000 to 30,000 farmers, in view of the fact that in 2014 significant numbers of farmers reported that they had to wait up to six months for these results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 123 together.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) Programme forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and allocates funding of some €300 million over the next six years to suckler farmers in Ireland. The BDGP builds on the large strategic investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in recent years, and will ultimately bring about fundamental improvements to the entire sector by substantially improving the genetic quality of the national beef herd.

The BDGP was launched on 5 May and my Department received almost 30,000 applications by the extended closing date of 5 June. While analysis of the applications is still ongoing, the initial figures suggest that the programme is fully subscribed and that there will not be a surplus in the Programme’s budget. Of course, should any surplus arise, I will examine the potential to re-open the scheme in 2016 for new applicants.

The number of applications, and subsequently the number of herd owners involved in the programme, is broadly comparable to the numbers with which my Department and the ICBF engaged with as part of both the Beef Genomics Scheme and Beef Data Programme last year. The experience garnered in operating these schemes demonstrates the capability to provide an efficient and effective service. While there are extra elements to the BDGP which will require additional processing resources, I am satisfied that adequate provision has been made to deliver an efficient service to scheme participants, including as regards genomic evaluations.

Finally, I should also note that the 2014 pilot Beef Genomic Scheme provides the research base for which genomic evaluations can be provided to BDGP participants in the coming years . Evaluations could not be provided to participants until this initial and time consuming research had been completed. As a result of this research, made possible by the investment undertaken in 2014, I am happy to note that evaluations will shortly be issuing to scheme participants from the 2014 scheme and that participants under the BDGP will receive evaluations in a regular and timely fashion in the coming months and years.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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120. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an explanation for the exclusion of exported animals from the beef data and genomics programme from recording by processing factories, which leads to a situation where farmers who export and contribute to the country's overall indigenous exports will not receive the appropriate credit from his Department under the current Euro-Star index rating system, as proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24433/15]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the beef data and genomics programme to provide for the inclusion of exported animals within the programme to ensure that exporting farmers will receive the appropriate credit from his Department under the Euro-Star index rating system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24434/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was launched on 5 May and my Department received almost 30,000 applications by the extended closing date of 5June. The Programme forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and allocates funding of some €300 million over the next six years to suckler farmers in Ireland. The BDGP builds on the large strategic investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in recent years, and will ultimately bring about fundamental improvements to the entire sector by substantially improving the genetic quality of the national beef herd.

As the deputy is aware, the BDGP will compensate participants for the cost incurred and income foregone in undertaking a number of actions such as genotyping, data collection and the introduction of animals with a higher genetic merit. It is not correct to say that exported animals are excluded from the BDGP as all of the required actions, including data recording and genotyping, can be carried out in herds which export some of their progeny to markets outside of Ireland.

As is the case for all herds in the BDGP, these participants will be required to record key data on all male and female calves, regardless of whether they are planned for export or not, on an annual basis for important traits such as calf quality, calf docility and health and disease traits, as well as information on the sires and the dams of these calves. All of this data will be integrated into the National genomic evaluation system resulting in more accurate €uro-Star evaluations to the benefit of the farmer himself, including those that are in the business of exporting calves, and the wider industry. As such, the data collected through the BDGP is central to ensuring that the value of these exported animals is accurately reflected in the indexes and that suckler herds producing animals for export are not excluded from the programme.

In addition, it should be noted that the ICBF also collects data regarding the weights and prices recorded for a large volume of these animals which are sold through livestock marts prior to export, which again provides additional data to go towards improving the accuracy of the indexes. In addition, ICBF are committed to working with exporters, buyers and processors in the third country markets which take live exports of cattle from Ireland in order to collect additional. This will help assist ICBF in accurately representing the value of these animals through the indexes developed.