Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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543. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports which are in place to assist farmers in promoting pedigree cattle nationally and internationally; the supports which are being provided by State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23978/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Pedigree breeders play an important role in cattle production in this country. Pedigree breeders  work closely with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and are at the forefront of the effort to breed superior stock.  The National Beef Breeding Programme ultimately contributes significantly to the profitability of farm enterprises in general, the success of our meat production sector, and the country’s export income.

Supports are provided for the promotion of pedigree cattle through certain Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, and State Agency supports.

Regarding support provided by State Agencies, Bord Bia supports breed specific beef and live cattle exports on a number of fronts. While these can be pedigree oriented they are not exclusively so and can be purebred or crossbred (sired) as appropriate.  Bord Bia is guided by market potential and demand as well as the ability and desire of the industry to develop markets.

Some examples of such activity over recent years have been extensive support of traditional breed beef (Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn), Inward buyer visits and market study visits, assistance in identifying markets and customers and buyer introductions.

Bord Bia has also assisted in the development of communications and Public Relations initiatives, market promotions, as well as open days, receptions, exhibitions and trade shows.

Bord Bia has partnered with major customers, exporters and breed societies in delivering the above promotions across virtually all European markets and increasingly developing international market opportunities (e.g. Hong Kong).  It has worked with the mainstream continental breeds on a range of the above activities based on requests and market opportunities, engaging in particular on Limousin, Charolais, Simmental and Piedmontese offerings.

With regard to live exports, Bord Bia has co-operated with shippers and customers to engage on breed based opportunities. These have predominately been for Hereford and Angus breeding animals, with the requirement being for purebred animals. Among the services offered in this connection are arranging inward buyer visits for new customers in Italy, Netherlands and North Africa, attendance at industry trade fairs and the promotion of Ireland as a source of high quality animals via ads in specialist publications, brochures and video footage.

My Department also provides financial support on an annual basis for International Pedigree Breeding events.  Pedigree breeders are key stakeholders in the Irish Cattle Breeders’ Federation and in this regard my Department provides annual support to ICBF of which part is used to fund Gene Ireland Pedigree breed improvement programmes.  The Gene Ireland programme helps showcase the various beef breeds and the genetic variation within those breeds.