Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dairy farmers participating and not participating respectively in the sustainable dairy assurance scheme by county, in tabular form; the expected duration of the scheme; the consequence for farmers who do not join the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, launched in December 2013, was developed in cooperation with milk producers, processors and the regulatory authorities, including my Department. The Scheme gives the dairy sector the capability to both benchmark Irish milk production internationally and to demonstrate the commitment of Irish dairy farms to sustainable farming practices. The Scheme also allows the sector access to markets and buyers that demand on-farm certification and provide assurance for those customers regarding sustainable production of quality milk.

The scheme is open to all milk producers with a valid herd registration who supply to milk processors in the Republic of Ireland.  Applications are processed by Bord Bia who then provide an information pack and assign the farm to an auditor. A farm visit will be conducted by an independent auditor at 18-month intervals at a time and day that suits the farmer. The purpose of these visits is to audit the farm against the quality assurance criteria and to collect data regarding the sustainability of the farm.

There are approximately 17,800 dairy farmers in Ireland. To date over 17,000 applications to join the scheme have been received representing 96% of all dairy farmers. In total over 83% of all dairy farmers are now certified, meaning that their audit is completed and all corrective actions undertaken. This Scheme does not have an end date, as is common with all quality assurance schemes of this nature. It is a matter for processors as to how to deal with milk from suppliers who may choose not to join the scheme.

The following table outlines applications and current participants in the scheme by county: