Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons enrolled under the beef data genomics programme; if he will reopen the scheme for new participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 24,473 participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme and these participants have 528,989 reference animals. This scheme builds on the pilot Beef Genomics Scheme in 2014 and is a key component of our national Rural Development programme and our supports for the Irish suckler sector. It is a scheme which I firmly believe will provide a lasting positive impact on the national suckler herd both in terms of genetic gain and environmental sustainability.

The scheme is now firmly established and its benefits are already clearly being seen. Its credibility as a progressive and meaningful scheme for suckler farmers is well known and there are consistent demands for its re-opening as a result of this. I have listened to calls for the reopening of this scheme to new applicants and to that end officials in my Department are currently examining the possibility of this in the context of an assessment of budgetary priorities, the operation of the Rural Development Programme and the potential impact both upon the scheme itself and other schemes.

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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30. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the beef data and genomics programme to reopen to new entrants. [12201/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of calls for the reopening of the BDGP to new applicants. My Department is  currently assessing budgetary priorities and commitments under the RDP and in this context, is considering the feasibility of opening the BDGP to new applicants on a limited basis.

When all the above relevant factors have been considered in full, I will make an announcement regarding the reopening of the scheme.

The calls to reopen the scheme are very much a positive reflection on the experience of those who are currently participating in the scheme. The scheme itself combined with other measures introduced by my Department such as the Mart Modernisation Scheme have concentrated the minds of suckler farmers on the genetic quality of their herds. Commercial farmers when making breeding decisions for their beef herds are now making those decisions based on both economic and scientific data which is easily accessible to them when purchasing replacement stock using Eurostar data displayed clearly at mart ringsides. This is an example of two Department schemes complementing one another in a positive manner. The BDGP is an important factor in driving continued efficiencies in Irish suckler production.

The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland’s rural economy and the provision of support for the suckler sector is critically important. It is a sector that I want to ensure continues to survive and prosper in this country. The range of supports under the CAP such as Pillar I payments and schemes under the RDP such as GLAS, ANCs and indeed the BDGP represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. I believe that it is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future.

Having recently returned from a successful trade mission in the Middle East I have once again seen at first hand the high esteem in which Irish beef is held by consumers all over world, for its taste, animal welfare standards and environmentally sound production systems. The reputation of Irish beef as a premium sustainable product was one of the key factors in gaining enhanced market access in Saudi Arabia. The BDGP aims to re-enforce these vital qualities by further enhancing our production to be at the forefront of Irish and international efforts to tackle climate change. The benefits that this scheme will bring to the Irish suckler herd are cumulative and permanent and are an essential element of the future sustainability producing beef from our suckler herd.