Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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445. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a non-genotyped four or five-star Irish Cattle Breeding Federation-rated cow in the herd prior to 5 June 2015, which is subsequently genotyped at a lower star rating at an accuracy of up to 45%, is deemed ineligible under the beef data and genomics scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37959/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the BDGP is to bring about long-term strategic improvements to the beef breeding sector by substantially improving the overall genetic quality of the national beef herd. A robust and reliable replacement index , built specifically for Irish animals and production systems , on which farmers can make informed breeding decisions, is an essential element of the drive to meet these goals. It is imperative that the index uses the most accurate information available to us and that is why genotyping constitutes such a major part of the BDGP. The genotyping requirement within the BDGP reflects the need to genotype a large percentage of female calves at birth within scheme herds and to genotype female animals introduced from non-scheme herds so that a sufficient amount of 4 and 5 star animals can be identified. Genotyping substantially improves the reliability of the breeding indexes and ensures the identification of sufficient numbers of 4 & 5 star female animals required by BDGP herds.

The refinement of the index unavoidably leads to minor fluctuations in some individual animals’ ratings due to the addition of new and more accurate information. This will further improve the reliability of that animal’s rating and similarly, the collection of additional information across the entire herd, including the genomic data, will result in more accurate €uro-Star evaluations. Some animals will end up moving to lower star ratings while others will increase their rating reciprocally, but with these changes the index becomes more accurate and a more useful tool for suckler farmers across the country. The cattle breeding industry in Ireland is very accustomed to genetic evaluations moving over time, as more data accumulates.

As the Deputy will be aware, the female replacement requirements for a BDGP participant are focussed on ensuring that a percentage of their heifers/eligible suckler cows (rounded to the nearest animal), in the years 2018 and 2020 are genotyped animals that are:

(i) 4 or 5 stars on the replacement index

(ii)at least 16 months old and;

(iii) born in 2013 or later,

I have subsequently clarified on point (iii) above that a female animal born before 2013 will be considered eligible if it was present in the herd before 5th June 2015 and also meets the requirements of parts (i) and (ii). In addition, BDGP also allows animals to be considered eligible even if their rating is subsequently downgraded from 4 and 5 stars, provided that the animal is genotyped 4 or 5 star at the time of purchase. The focus on the BDGP has turned towards engagement with individual scheme participants. My priority now is to work closely with the ICBF and BDGP farmers to ensure that implementation of the Programme continues to deliver for Irish suckler farmers.