Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

38. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total sum of money retained from farmers in the beef data genomics scheme in 2016 and to date in 2017; the reason for the retention of these moneys; and the measures taken by his department to ensure that farmers are fully informed as to the reason the retentions are taking place and the way to avoid them in future. [27961/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is approved under article 28 of Regulation 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. As with all area based rural development schemes the Regulations require that the scheme is of between five and seven years duration. The BDGP I runs for six years from 2015 to 2020.

Almost 30,000 applications to participate in the Programme were received and approximately 23,700 farmers continue to participate.

Payments amounting to almost €51m issued during 2016 to participants in the BDGP of which €14.6m was in respect of 2015 scheme year and €36.3m in respect of the 2016 scheme year. Approximately €8.7m was paid in respect of training courses and to approved advisors for the completion of carbon navigators for applicants. To date, €41.9m has been paid to 22,578 scheme participants in respect of the 2016 scheme year.

The objectives of BDGP are

- To lower the intensity of GHG emissions by improving the quality and efficiency of the national beef herd.

- To improve the genetic merits of the national beef herd through the collection of data and genotypes of selected animals which will allow for the application of genomic selection in the beef herd.

Applicants were fully informed of their obligations under the Programme through various measures (Terms and Conditions, Helpsheets, Nationwide information meetings, Letters, Texts, Tweets) since the inception of the Programme, and all applicants have completed a comprehensive four hour training course. This course was given by approved advisors and included clear explanation of all the conditions and responsibilities of each applicant under the Programme.

The Department continues to communicate frequently with applicants regarding their responsibilities under the Programme.

Reductions amounting to €0.58m have been applied to the €41.9m already paid under the BDGP in respect of 2016. These are cases where the applicant has been found to be non-compliant with the terms and conditions of the scheme. The application of penalties is in line with the terms and conditions of the scheme.