Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen the beef data and genomics programme for new participants in view of the fact the scheme is running 35% behind the participation target and a large underspend is likely as a consequence; and if so, when this will commence. [19055/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I announced this morning that the Beef Data and Genomics Programme will be reopened to beef suckler farmers who are not already part of the scheme. The scheme will be known as BDGP II and will, like the original, commit to six years of payments to farmers for completion of actions aimed at delivering accelerated genetic improvement in the national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. Payment rates and actions for participants in BDGP II will be the same as those in BDGP I with the exception that the training and carbon navigator actions must be completed by 31^stOctober 2017. I am also glad to say that provision has been made for new entrants to suckler farming in the scheme and it is these farmers that will drive the future of the Irish suckler herd.

The success of the BDGP scheme over the course of its first two years led to many calls for the programme to be re-opened. Its benefits in driving both genetic improvement and sustainability of our beef farms are now well recognised. This is a significant investment in the suckler sector and a real vote of confidence by this Government in its future.

The scheme will be open for applications from next Wednesday 19^thApril and the closing date for receipt of applications, both online and paper, will be Monday 8^thMay 2017.